Attention small business owner. I have an announcement. You are due to reward yourself for all your hard work. I see you looking confused at these words. You think I am not talking to you. But I am.

When’s the last time you rewarded yourself for a job well done? Probably the more realistic question is: have you ever rewarded yourself?

As business owners we tend not to notice all we accomplish. The simple fact we have an open and running business these days is an accomplishment. Why don’t we see it?

I think about my goals and achievements. I remember thinking, “One day I will own my own business.” Now, I do. Do I celebrate that? No. I just keep moving on to the next thing.

We get caught up in the chaos that is small business ownership. There is never enough money. There is never enough time. How can we possibly stop and celebrate our victories?

This is where I think the small business burnout comes into play. We spend so much time trying to achieve the next goal we don’t take time to celebrate the most likely monumental feet we just accomplished. Not only is it not celebrated, it’s probably not even noticed.

I challenge the business owners of Kirkland to celebrate, to reward yourself, to notice next time you achieve greatness. Did you pick up a new client? Add an employee? Get your first employee? How amazing is that? Do you see it?

Celebrate Kirkland! Have a nice dinner, a weekend away, buy yourself a little something. Heck, just tell yourself “good job.” Take the time to notice all the hard work, time, and money you have put into your business.

You deserve it. You earned it. Enjoy it.

Diana DeAndrea-Kohn is a small business owner and freelance writer in Kirkland. Send writing topics to Diana@Kirklandsba.com