The email you sent to a recruiter, that led to a call, that led to an interview for the job you’ve been chasing for years.

The course you took at night after long office days, that helped you get that much closer to your dream job.

The coffee chat you had with a mentor, that gave you a fresh insight about your career direction.

I talk a lot about small wins, and how important they are in giving you the confidence you need while you’re pursuing a change in your career.

And it’s important to know the difference between the wins that matter, and the wins that are really just bright, shiny objects.

One helps you be intentional about the career and the work that you truly want to have. The other is kind of like cotton candy—it tastes good in the moment, but might leave your stomach hurting.

The right small win builds confidence and clarity; the bright, shiny object only looks good from the outside.

The right small win changes your next step; the bright, shiny object just fills time.

The right small win feels uncomfortable but rewarding; the bright, shiny object, like that cotton candy, feels easy but empty.

When you’re pursuing your career journey, how can you be sure that your wins are the wins that truly move you forward?

Your Win Should Create Momentum

Think back to the last win you celebrated. What door did it open up for you? How did that win change the way met your next step? Here’s what I want you to know--real wins fuel real progress.

Did a recruiter respond to your email? Great! That’s a win. But the real win comes when you take that response and spark a conversation that leads to new opportunities. Small steps forward, repeated time after time, create momentum.

Momentum is what turns effort into progress. That makes what once felt impossible, start to feel like, hey, this can actually happen. If you’re celebrating a win but feel stuck in the same place, it’s worth asking: Is this truly moving me forward, or is it just a temporary high?

Your Win Should Align With Your Bigger Goals

Your small wins should stack up in a way that builds toward something meaningful. Are you taking a new job just because it offers a salary bump, but it doesn’t align with what you *truly* want? That might be a bright, shiny object. Are you making a move that looks lateral, but challenges you in new ways and develops skills for your dream job? What looks on the outside like being stuck can actually turn out to be a win.

Now, before you pop champagne corks and start celebrating, ask yourself:

• Does this win align with where I want to go?

• Am I doing this because it’s meaningful, or just because it’s available?

When your wins line up with your goals, they will always outweigh ones that just look good on paper.

Your Win Should Feel Slightly Uncomfortable

It’s been said so many times, and it’s still true—Growth rarely happens in your comfort zone. The wins that matter often come with uncertainty and doubt.

Maybe it’s applying for a job even when you don’t meet every single requirement. Maybe it’s saying yes to a speaking opportunity that scares you. The wins that challenge you, will also expand you.

If a win feels effortless, it might not be a win at all—it could just be a distraction.

Make Sure You’re Tracking the Right Wins

Here’s a great exercise for you: Write down your wins at the end of the week. But don’t just jot down anything that looks impressive—write down the wins that helped you gain clarity, build confidence, and take real steps toward the work you truly want.

That’s how you know you’re on the right track. And the shiny objects—and the cotton candy—become just objects in the rearview mirror.