Give yourself a gold star

Remember how rewarding it was in grade school to get back an assignment with a gold star sticker or some other tangible acknowledgement of a job well done? Well you can apply the same psychological boost to your goal-based activities today!

Sure, you could go about this in the literal sense, adding a sticker or some other item that makes you smile, such as a rubber stamp, to your daybook, calendar or goal-tracking sheet as a way to reinforce your successes.  But why not get creative and offer yourself a more fitting reward?  After all, you're a grown up now and your rewards should reflect this.

Ideas include:

Treat yourself to your favorite pastry or specialty coffee that you resist indulging in regularly.

Get a shirt or hat custom embroidered or screen printed (it's actually fairly inexpensive to do this) that reflects your successes.  For example, your hat may sport a self-created logo for your goal, to be worn while actively engaged in goal-achievement activities.  Or a shirt may have a message like "Ask me about my success!" to encourage others to help you pat yourself on the back.

Give yourself a motivational award.  Businesses do this all the time with "Employee of the Month" mugs and recognition pins, certificates, gift pen sets, etc.  These items are available fairly inexpensively at motivation gift stores and websites.  Even better, present it to yourself at a fancy dinner (in or out) complete with a short acceptance speech thanking all the "little people" (your friends and family who are dining with you) that made it all possible.  Want more fun? Do this for every major milestone on the way to your success!

Purchase some brightly colored window paint markers (available at any auto-parts store or department) and paint inspiring or congratulatory slogans, such as "Oh yeah, who's your daddy!" or "I'm number 1!" on the windows of your home and or vehicle, where you will see them often.  Bonus points for painting it big enough to read from across the street - on the big picture window out front!

Buy a face painting or temporary tattoo kit (henna works also) and tattoo yourself with congratulatory or inspirational messages.  Better yet, become your biggest fan and paint your whole face up, sports-fan style, in your favorite colors - and root for the home team (that's you) all day long.

Decorate a special dessert (cake, dessert pizza, big cookie, etc) in a congratulatory or inspirational theme with icing, sprinkles, etc.  Set your creation in front of your plate to admire all through dinner.

Create a boosting, "rah-rah" set of email messages (or just one that repeats) and load them into an auto-responder mailing program.  There are many available on the web, and some are free (their ads appear in your email).  "Opt in" to this self-created newsletter of support and at pre-determined intervals, you'll find these little "fun-sized candy bars for the soul" in your inbox.