Why Celebration Might Be the Missing Piece in Your Growth

This month is a HUGE one for me, personally and professionally.

1. I just wrapped up my second IGNITE Mastery retreat for cohort #2 and my heart is bursting, my head inspired with new ideas, my body a limp noodle, and my soul overflowing with my purpose on the planet (community, excellence, and joy). This is the mid-way point of a 10 month program, and our tribe of passionate, brilliant coaches feel like they’re just getting started. (Pictures to come!)

2. I’m in the thick of moving (in one week!) homes, states, and daycares, which has me knee-deep in boxes, bubble wrap, and all the transition energy that comes with starting a new chapter. And our whole family is feeling the overwhelm of it all, including a toddler who’s developed nightly nightmares (cue the heartbreak from this mama).

   
   

In the spirit of honoring seasons of movement and pause, I want to bring back a message from a past newsletter that still deeply resonates:

The importance of CELEBRATION.

In coaching, we talk a lot about growth, goals, action, and accountability. But one of the most overlooked elements of sustainable transformation Acknowledgement.

It’s actually written into the ICF Core Competencies, facilitating growth by celebrating progress, values, strengths, and accomplishments. (Core Competency #8: Facilitating Client Growth)

Here’s the kicker: most of us (especially high performers) aren’t great at this. We’re so focused on what’s next, what’s missing, or what needs improvement that we forget to honor how far we’ve come.

I’ve seen it in my clients, in myself, and in our culture at large. The voice that says:

“Don’t stop.”

“You haven’t done enough.”

“Celebrating is self-indulgent.”

But that inner voice can lead us right into burnout.

When we skip celebration, we rob ourselves of the joy, motivation, and self-trust that fuels meaningful progress. Celebration can be as great of a teacher as constructive criticism. We need to know what we’re doing right just as much as what needs changing.

So here’s your reminder, slow down and celebrate. The big wins. The small shifts. The messy middle.

As I wrap up this move and take stock of the year so far, I’m celebrating:

• Another cohort of IGNITE Mastery, a first of it’s kind in the ICF world

• A killer 3-day coaching retreat that has inspired many more

• Helping 5 coaches obtain their PCC this year

• Helping 1 coach obtain her MCC

• My 41st birthday

• Moving to New Jersey

• Being Chief Domestic Officer, Chief Move Officer, and Present Mom

• My community growing to almost 800 coaches

What are you celebrating this month?

Even if it’s just showing up with intention, or trusting yourself one layer deeper you’re doing the work. Own that.

And in the meantime, if you’re ready to be surrounded by coaches who are also doing the deep, mastery-level work… check out the IGNITE Mastery waitlist. We’re already prepping for February 2026.

With love and (much-needed) celebration,

Lisa