When you set goals, it is easy to let them go when you don’t experience a reward. Taking small steps toward something bigger deserves special recognition, though, so rewarding yourself is essential.
When you treat yourself for seemingly small accomplishments, you will feel motivated to keep working hard. You will form new, beneficial habits that help you continue your success.
It is essential to choose rewards that won’t undo your hard work or set you back in any way. Choose ones related to your goal, if possible, and make sure you will look forward to the reward.
Twenty Easy Ways to Reward Yourself
Take a moment to give yourself a great, big congratulations.
1. Spend Time with Your Loved Ones
One of the best rewards in life is spending time with people that you love. Your loved one could be a close friend or a family member that you don’t see often enough. If you can’t physically be with them, make time for a video call or write them a note instead.
2. Spend Time Making Your Favorite Dishes or Try Some New Ones
Depending on your goals, you can make your favorite baked dishes or dinners. If those dishes aren’t allowed in your healthy eating regime, then find a few new ones to try. Remember to avoid undoing your progress or hinder your success, so trying new dishes might be necessary.
3. Take a Break from Everyday Life
Sometimes you need to get away from your daily environment. Going on a short road trip can give you the time that you need, or you could plan an entire weekend away from home. Another option is to spend a night at a bed-and-breakfast near your home.
Whatever you choose to do, make it something that will bring you joy and relaxation. When you are taking a break is the best time to visit national parks. Or, you can book a vacation somewhere you have always wanted to go.
4. Indulge in Flowers and Plants
Flowers and plants are a sure way to reduce stress in your life. When you have reached a goal, use this prize to bring happiness to your life.
You can buy yourself flowers or a plant for your home, or you can work outside in your garden. Plants also promote productivity and offer limitless benefits.
Another fun idea is to visit a botanical garden in your area. You can expect to see different flowers and plants that you can’t experience at your home.
5. Watch Something You Enjoy
Sometimes the best way to reward yourself is by watching something that you look forward to. You can turn on your favorite movie or a movie you have wanted to watch. With streaming services, you can likely find any movie you want.
If you have a favorite show, look for new episodes or catch up on ones you have missed. Another option that many people might not think about is online videos. If you enjoy videos, spend time watching ones that make you laugh, smile, or help you learn something.
6. Plan a Fun Night Out
Letting loose during a night out is the perfect way to treat yourself. Check out local events in your area and start planning a fun night out with your friends or partner. You can check for concerts, movies, a comedy show, or a karaoke event.
7. Read a Book While You Enjoy Your Favorite Beverage in Peace
Plan for at least a half-hour of uninterrupted time to enjoy your favorite beverage and read. If books aren’t for you, then you can choose your favorite magazine.
Another option is to spend this time drinking your morning coffee and coloring in an inspirational coloring book. If you can’t have this time alone at home, find a coffee shop or other quiet place to spend that time.
8. Sign Up for a Class or Seminar
The perfect way to reward yourself is by signing yourself up for a class or seminar. Not only will it be fun, but you will be learning at the same time. You can sign up for something to further your current skills or sign up for something entirely new.
If your goal is fitness-related, you could sign up for a lesson with a personal trainer. Other fun fitness options include yoga, palates, or a spinning class.
9. Set up a Personal Space at Home
You can treat yourself by setting up a personal sanctuary where you can enjoy your time. This space can be whatever you want it to be, as long as you have privacy and can relax.
If you already have a personal space, consider switching it up when you accomplish a goal. Giving the walls a fresh coat of paint or buying new décor can make all the difference.
10. Listen to Your Favorite Music
Turn on your favorite playlist and spend time enjoying the lyrics or the beat. If possible, find music that is motivating, energizing, relaxing, or uplifting. Let loose by singing and dancing around to make this experience even better.
11. Plan a Party or Game Night
If you like planning, then putting together a party or game night will be fun right from the start. Go all out and plan snacks, food, drinks, fun games, and anything else you want to have. Some fun games to play with friends include Charades or Pictionary, but consider your group before deciding.
12. Invest in Something Related to Your Goal
If you want your prize to relate to your goal, consider what you need to keep moving forward. For fitness goals, consider rewarding yourself by investing in a new sports bra or exercise shoes. You could also consider sunglasses designed for outdoor sports.
For healthy eating, consider rewarding yourself with a new blender for protein shakes and fruit smoothies. You could also invest in a food scale or something else that you often want.
If your goal is work-related, you could invest in a new planner targeted to your needs. If you want to go further, get some stickers or other embellishments to make your planner even better. Another idea for a work-related goal is to buy something new for your desk.
13. Do Something You Enjoy
Spend time working on your hobbies. If you like arts and crafts, choose a new project to start and work on it the next time you reach a goal.
Likewise, if you are into podcasts, spend time listening to your favorites or finding new ones to enjoy. Whatever your hobby is, set aside time to enjoy it as a prize.
14. Treat Yourself
Think of something that you would love to indulge in and choose that as your next reward. You could choose your favorite dessert or a meal out so that you don’t have to cook. If you love cold treats, treat yourself to a smoothie or milkshake instead.
15. Hire Someone for a Task You Don’t Enjoy or Don’t Have Time For
Think of the tasks you like least or don’t have time for and delegate them to someone else. You could hire a company to do these things for you, or you could hire someone you know that can get the job done. Consider hiring someone for lawn care, cleaning, or grocery shopping.
Not only is this a great way to reward yourself, but it will free up some of your time and energy. With that extra time, you can dedicate yourself to reaching your next goal.
16. Take an Entire Day Off
Everyone needs a chance to relax without thinking about anything work-related, chore-related, or child-related. You will likely have to plan this day ahead of time, which gives you a deadline for reaching your goal.
Once you have earned this reward, make sure you use it wisely. Do whatever you want to do, and try not to think about anyone else for the entire day.
You can see a movie while everyone else is at work and have the theater to yourself. Or, you can have a lazy day doing nothing at all. Start planning this day right now so that you can make sure it goes perfectly.
17. Spend Time Relaxing
No matter how busy life gets, take time to relax. Make time for a hot bath, a scented candle, and a good book or playlist. Try to turn off all social media during this time so that your relaxing time isn’t interrupted or wasted.
18. Get Pampered
Sometimes you need to get out of the house and let other people take care of you. Schedule a massage, a beauty treatment, or a hair appointment as a prize for reaching your goal. Even if you get a simple haircut, setting aside this time for yourself is beneficial.
19. Spend Time Outside
Spending time outside is something you are sure to anticipate excitedly. If you already spend lots of time outdoors, then plan something new as your prize.
You can go for a walk in a place you have never been or find a peaceful place to sit and reflect. Another option is to spend time gazing at the stars or basking in the sunshine. Whatever it is, choose something that will bring you happiness.
20. Visit a Place You Have Wanted to See
Make a list of all the places you want to see near your home or within driving distance. When you reach a goal, you can choose one of the places and take a trip to check it out. Think about museums, exhibitions, art galleries, or anything else you have always wanted to see.
Final Thoughts on Easy Ways to Reward Yourself for Reaching Your Goal
When you are working toward a goal, having something to look forward to can help you get there. Choose a reward for yourself that you look forward to and want to earn.
The prize you earn should be beneficial to you and bring you happiness in some way. Think it over as you decide which prize to give yourself so that it is meaningful to you.
