Celebrate Other People Freely
Twelve ways to cheer for other people freely, and feel better yourself.
Another person’s win does not take away from yours. Cheering is good for you.
35 tips that really help
These ideas come from The Confidence Code (Katty Kay and Claire Shipman), The Gifts of Imperfection (Brené Brown), Mindset (Carol Dweck), and everyday practice. Pick one tip and try it today.
Abundance, not scarcity
There is room for many people to succeed. Seeing it this way reduces envy.
Say: their win does not stop my win.
Say congratulations quickly
A fast, warm message makes joy real. Do not wait for a perfect word.
Send a short congratulations message today.
Ask a curious question
Asking how did you do it shows respect and teaches you something.
Ask one question about a friend’s success.
Share their good news
Telling others about a friend’s win spreads joy and strengthens friendships.
Mention a friend’s success to someone else.
Be specific
Praise the exact thing, like your calm voice made it work. Specifics feel real.
Add one specific detail to your next compliment.
Celebrate publicly
A kind comment on a post or in a meeting means a lot.
Leave one supportive comment.
Offer help
Cheering is sweeter with action. Offer to read, practise or share a contact.
Offer one practical help this week.
Handle the sting
If you feel a pinch of envy, say congrats anyway. The sting fades quickly.
Congratulate someone even if it stings.
Keep a gratitude list for people
Thank people who inspire you. It builds a warm view of others.
Write three people you admire and why.
Show up for events
Go to a friend’s launch or party. Presence is a gift.
Mark a friend’s event on your calendar.
Celebrate small wins
Not only big news. Notice small steps in others.
Praise a friend’s small step.
Notice the return
People who cheer others often find cheering returns. It builds support circles.
Watch for kindness that comes back.
Practise sympathetic joy
Buddhists call being happy for others mudita. Wishing others well builds a generous heart and a calmer mind.
Silently wish three people success today.
Congratulate first
When you hear good news, say congratulations before anything else. The first response sets the tone.
Practise your first reply.
Be specific in your praise
I love how you stayed calm during the pitch is stronger than well done. Specifics prove you paid attention.
Add detail to your next compliment.
Share their news
Telling others about a friend’s success spreads happiness. Your friend will be glad you did.
Mention a friend’s win to someone.
Write a short note
A handwritten note of congratulation is memorable and rare. It takes two minutes.
Write one this week.
Attend the celebration
Show up to the launch, party or ceremony. Your presence is a gift.
Mark one event in your calendar.
Offer practical help
Support the success with a useful act, such as sharing the post or helping set up. Help shows care.
Offer one thing.
Ask about the journey
Ask how it felt and what they learned along the way. People enjoy telling the story.
Ask two questions.
Congratulate through the sting
If envy appears, say well done anyway and mean it. The feeling passes quickly.
Say congratulations even if it stings.
Celebrate small wins too
Notice quiet wins such as finishing a course or a hard talk. Small cheers matter.
Praise a small win.
Create a cheering culture
At work or home, start a habit of sharing wins. It lifts everyone.
Start a win round at your next meeting.
Write down what you admire
A list of admired qualities teaches you what you value. Keep it.
List three qualities.
Remember there is enough
Success is not a fixed pie. Other people’s wins do not remove yours.
Say there is enough for all.
Learn from their habits
Notice what successful friends do each day. Borrow what suits you.
Write two habits to try.
Thank them for inspiring you
Telling someone they inspired you makes their day. Say it kindly.
Send a message.
Be there in hard times too
Cheering is easier when you also support losses. Balanced friendship is strong.
Check in on a friend.
Avoid backhanded compliments
Say what you mean kindly. Hidden jabs hurt and are remembered.
Check your words.
Celebrate publicly when it fits
A shout-out in a group lifts spirits. Do it with sincerity.
Give one this week.
Keep your own goals in view
Cheering others does not mean forgetting your own. You can do both.
Write your goal for the month.
Set up mutual celebration
Agree with a friend to cheer each other’s wins. Mutual support grows quickly.
Ask a friend to start.
Notice how it feels
Cheering others lifts you too, because joy multiplies when shared. Write what you notice.
Write one line.
Practise daily
Make one cheer a day your habit. It builds warmth over time.
Set a reminder.
Pass it on
Teach a friend to celebrate others. Kindness spreads.
Share the idea.
Easy things to say
When you are stuck, pick one of these. They work in many everyday situations.
“Congratulations, I am so happy for you.”
“How did you do it? I would love to hear.”
“I admire how you handled that.”
“Let me know how I can help.”
“Thank you for inspiring me.”
“That is wonderful news.”
Your first week
One small action a day. Each day is only a little bigger than the last.
Congratulate one person today
Share a friend’s good news
Write a short thank-you
Ask someone about their win
Offer help on a friend’s project
Celebrate a colleague publicly
Notice how you feel afterwards
Further reading
- The Confidence Code (Katty Kay and Claire Shipman)
- The Gifts of Imperfection (Brené Brown)
- Mindset (Carol Dweck)
The tips above are written in our own words and are general guidance. The books are suggestions for further reading.
More lessons in “Building Self-Confidence”
Keep going. Small steps every day make a big change.
← Previous: Unfollow What Shrinks YouNext: Compare Yourself Only to Yesterday →
- You Are Enough, Starting Today
- The Confidence Myth That Holds You Back
- Your Hidden Strengths List
- Stop Asking for Permission to Matter
- Where Low Confidence Really Comes From
- The Day You Stop Apologising for Existing
- Write Your Own Worth Statement
- Start a Proof-of-Progress File
- Small Wins Make Big Believers
- The Evidence Your Inner Critic Hides
- Look Back at What You Survived
- Turn Compliments Into Confidence
- The Ten-Minute Daily Win
- How Mastery Builds Belief
- Fixed Mindset vs Growth Mindset
- Add the Word "Yet" to Everything
- See Mistakes as Training
- Stop Needing to Be Perfect
- Think Progress, Not Perfection
- Believe Skills Can Grow
- Ask "What Can I Learn?" First
- Action Creates Confidence
- The Five-Second Move That Beats Doubt
- Do the Scary Thing Badly
- Try Something New Every Week
- Say Yes to the Small Stretch
- Start Before You Feel Ready
- Make Tiny Promises and Keep Them
- Why Comparison Steals Your Confidence
- Use Envy as a Compass
- Your Race, Your Pace
- Unfollow What Shrinks You
- Celebrate Other People Freely
- Compare Yourself Only to Yesterday
- Talk to Yourself Like a Coach
- The Kindness Rule for Your Mind
- Take Care of the Body That Carries You
- Celebrate Before You Arrive
- Build a Circle That Believes in You
- Your Confidence Toolkit
