Somewhere over time, society has taught us that we should be humble and quietly go about our business. Again and again, the message is reinforced that we should never “toot our own horn”. This lesson is often doubly reinforced to women.

I have to break the mold and say that there’s a real problem with this line of thinking.

And I’m not the only one. The great American playwright and author Jeff Lindsay said:

“The key to a happy life is to have accomplishments to be proud of and purpose to look forward to, and at the moment I had both. How wonderful it was to be me.”

Now don’t get me wrong, I’m not an advocate for gross pride or a self-aggrandizing ego.

But I do believe that all people – and that certainly includes us as business entrepreneurs – should celebrate our successes, milestones and the sweet fruit of our efforts.

It’s these milestones that help keep us driven and inspire us to challenge ourselves to reach new, often loftier goals.

On that note, this month of October is a special one for me. I am celebrating my 37th year in sales and business entrepreneurship.

You might be thinking: Hmm, why not wait until your 40th year in business – an even numbered, more impressive milestone – to celebrate?

The answer is simple.

I’m choosing to acknowledge all the little, hard-earned wins that I’ve had over the years. I’m also reflecting on what I’ve learned from the losses.

Whether you’re at the beginning stages of a new business or working to grow a business that seems to have reached a plateau, you know the hard work and persistence it takes to reach milestones large and small.

I challenge you to strive for those grand milestones, but I also encourage you to celebrate when you reach the small ones. Give yourself permission to pat yourself on the back for whatever successes you’re celebrating this month.  I know I certainly will be.