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When you make partner, get a big raise, earn much-deserved promotion, or reach some other big goal, you deserve some recognition (if at least from yourself!), so today let's talk about the best ways to celebrate professional wins. The last time we focused on how to celebrate wins was in response to a reader question about “work successes bigger than ‘I finished the report' but smaller than ‘I finished my PhD,'” but today we can talk about achievements of all sizes. With work-related accomplishments, do you typically do anything special to celebrate? What are your favorite ways to pat yourself on the back — or do you prefer to silently congratulate yourself and move on?
In addition to some recent reader questions, this post was partially inspired by this recent comment thread about throwing parties for advanced degrees, which was in reference to conversations like this one and this one comparing milestones in life (engagement, pregnancy) to milestones at work (making partner, getting your PhD). (Mentioned in the conversation is a story from Slate's Dear Prudence, in which a guest proposed to his girlfriend at another person's dinner to celebrate getting her PhD. Wow…)
{related: how have you celebrated milestone birthdays?}
How to Celebrate Work Wins
Besides throwing yourself a party, which is always an option if you're comfortable with it, here are several suggestions from readers for good ways to celebrate a professional win:
1. Stick to something low-key: Ask a friend out for drinks or dinner, for example.
2. Treat yourself: Find a nice piece of jewelry (or shoes … or a bag) to commemorate your achievement — our Next Step series has some ideas, as does our post on the best splurges.
3. Give credit where credit's due: Get your team together to celebrate and thank the people who contributed to your success. (Here are some reader suggestions for showing your appreciation to your assistant/secretary.)
{related: rewarding yourself for a job well done}
4. Speaking of thanking… Do something nice to express your gratitude a partner/spouse who has supported you along the way.
5. Have a low-key night to yourself: Get takeout from your favorite restaurant and/or relax with wine and Netflix. (Check out some binge-worthy shows recommended by readers.)
6. Toast yourself for a job well done: If this gives you pause, check out our recent post on alcohol in the office.
What do you think are the best ways to celebrate a professional win? Have you ever seen a colleague celebrate an accomplishment in a way you wouldn't choose?
hi hi hi
I made equity partner at my law firm this year, and I knew I wanted to celebrate. So, I rented the private room at a great restaurant in Chicago and had a reception for 65 people (co-workers, friends, family, all invited) on a Saturday. The cost ended up being way more than I had anticipated, but in hindsight, I do not care. People had a great time and I had a great time!
BabyAssociate
That sounds fantastic, what a great idea!
Legally Brunette
That sounds amazing. Good for you and congrats!
buzzkill
Congratulations!!!
Anonymous
When I made income partner, my husband celebrated by paying off the remaining amount of my student loans on my behalf with our savings. It was a very meaningful gesture, as I felt the loans were a mental albatross.
Ellen
Congratulation’s! When I became a partner (at a small firm), my parents took me out to eat at a great Italian Restaruarnt in Huntington. I ate so much that I think I put on 7 pounds that week, all from eating and eating and eating to celabrate! Dad found out about the 7 pounds and he made me walk the next 7 days (a full week)@ 15,000 steps per day and I lost about 4 pounds. But the lesson here, is celabrate now b/c you will pay the price later! YAY!!!
asdf
I celebrated a 15% raise/promotion by blowing the first 1.5 months of that raise on a very blingy piece of jewelry. No regrets. I love jewelry and wear it. It feels incredibly indulgent because it’s for me, and me alone. Some other time I’ll take a page from the woman above who threw a fantastic party – but not on that (hard won) promotion.
Ses
I take my partner out to dinner, and if the win includes monetary reward I kick some of it into our joint vacation fund. If it’s a big milestone win, I try to buy something I’ll use often and enjoy or get a memorable experience: a watch, opera tickets, signing up with a personal trainer, a new computer.
AJ
I’ve been known to buy an ice cream cake or do a DIY popcorn mix (cheese, caramel, salted and M&Ms) for the office. It’s a way to toot my horn (or celebrate a subordinate) in a low-key fun way.
Afton Jackson
My sister has been working herself out night and day and she recently got the biggest promotion of her life. I wanted to help her celebrate her hard work and so I found it very helpful when you suggested asking out family and friends for dinner because my sister has always been saying she had a few restaurants she wanted to go to but didn’t have the opportunity. Along with taking her to the restaurant she wanted, my family and I will be looking for any congratulatory gifts we can give her to make her feel the job well done. Thank you so much!