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Life Flies— Why Appreciating Your Progress Fuels Growth
The Grateful Podcast with Jack Wagoner
Episode 24
In this solo episode, I explore a lesson life keeps trying to teach me: the importance of slowing down and truly appreciating our progress. For many of us chasing success, it’s easy to rush past our wins and immediately focus on the next goal. But what happens when we don’t let our victories sink in?

I share my personal struggle with celebrating success and reflect on my best semester yet as a high school senior—balancing school, running a business, and applying to colleges. Through these experiences, I’ve realized that rewarding ourselves for hard work isn’t just nice—it’s necessary. Positive reinforcement is proven to build habits, and taking time to acknowledge our wins fuels future growth.

This episode also dives into the role of challenging ourselves and how confirmation bias can stunt our growth. I discuss my own journey of studying in France and how stepping outside my comfort zone has made me a better student and person. If you’ve ever felt like you’re moving too fast to enjoy life, this episode will remind you to pause, reflect, and celebrate every step of the way.

If this episode resonates with you, share it with a friend who needs a reminder to slow down and celebrate their wins. Don’t forget to leave a review and subscribe for more episodes on living with intention and chasing your dreams.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why it’s hard for high achievers to celebrate their progress.

• How rewarding yourself for hard work can boost productivity and build habits.

• Simple ways to slow down and reflect after a success.

• How confirmation bias stunts growth—and how to challenge yourself to keep evolving.

• Personal stories about balancing school, business, and big dreams.

Key Takeaways:

1. Life moves fast, but success is sweeter when you pause to let it marinate.

2. Positive reinforcement isn’t just nice; it’s a psychological necessity for habit-building.

3. Growth happens when we step outside our comfort zone and challenge our assumptions.

Links & Resources Mentioned:

•Follow Jack on Instagram for daily inspiration: https://www.instagram.com/jack_wagoner_/

•Learn more about Jack’s coaching and free 15-minute calls: https://calendly.com/jackcwagoner/30min
•Subscribe to The Grateful Podcast to never miss an episode
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