There are many amazing personal growth tools that require nothing more than a pen and paper. One of these is the Success Jar.
What Is a Success Jar?
A Success Jar is a space (it doesn’t have to be an actual jar) where you regularly jot down your small, smaller, and even bigger achievements.
How Does the Success Jar Work? How to Start?
Grab a jar, some small pieces of paper, and a pen. Ideally, every day (but not necessarily, as I’ll explain below), write down your achievements, accomplishments, or positive things you’ve done that day. Drop each note into the jar, and over time, watch your collection of achievements grow.
But it can be even simpler! I personally use a single folded A4 sheet of paper. It’s my on-the-go Success Jar, and I keep it neatly tucked in my pencil case. If you like this idea but want your paper jar to feel a bit more special than just a blank sheet, I’ve prepared something just for you. Simply print it out, fold it, and you’re all set!
When it comes to frequency, here’s an important note: doing this exercise daily is ideal. However, writing down your successes even sporadically or once in a while is far better than not doing it at all. Don’t let irregularity discourage you. Each entry adds to the growth of your Success Jar.
What Are the Benefits of Keeping a Success Jar?
Our brains are wired to remember bad moments and failures more easily than positive ones. This was a revelation for me, even though my mind did this constantly. It’s easier to criticize yourself for what you didn’t accomplish than to appreciate something like getting up early and making a healthy breakfast for yourself and your kids. After all, is that really a success? Isn’t it just a duty? Well, no—it is a success.
By thinking that small successes don’t matter, we let them slip away unnoticed.
We also often forget that small steps add up to bigger achievements. Writing down these little things trains your brain to notice and appreciate even the smallest accomplishments. It shows you how these “minor” victories build toward something greater.
Keeping a Success Jar ensures that your achievements won’t fade from memory so easily. Even better, you get to see them all in one cumulative form.
The Power of Writing Things Down
What’s written is remembered. Writing things down helps your brain process and internalize them. It’s not magic—it’s backed by research! The simple act of recording your successes makes them feel more tangible and real.
Keeping a Success Jar helps you appreciate yourself and recognize your progress. It also becomes a powerful tool for tough times—like having a little medicine for the soul, always within reach.
Simple Solutions Are the Best
We often seek complex or expensive methods to improve our lives. But most of the time, the simplest solutions are the most effective (unless you need specialized help). The key is to actually use them.
Simple doesn’t mean boring, though. You can decorate your glass or paper Success Jar to make it uniquely yours. You don’t have to do this right away—start jotting down your successes first, and decorate later if you feel inspired. The most important thing is to start.
A Paper Success Jar – Perfect for Your Planner
I invite you to download my custom-designed paper Success Jar—completely free! Just print it out, fold it, and carry your successes with you wherever you go.
How to Assemble Your Paper Success Jar
Below, you’ll find a short video tutorial on how to fold your paper jar. Prefer step-by-step images? Click HERE to access a pictorial guide.
