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Dr. Laura Schlessinger
7 on@drlaura.com the notion of success. There are big successes, like earning a lot of money, getting professional status. That's huge. Being able to have a lot of nice things. I mean, these are successes. Getting an award.
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These are successes.
Dr. Laura Schlessinger
Don't sniff your nose at them. And don't say they're not really important. They are. Of course they are. However, comma, what do we do with successes every day? We have to celebrate daily successes in order to have a life that feels good. What are everyday successes? Maybe you won over a temptation. Maybe you didn't eat that cheesecake. Maybe you didn't drink that alcohol. Maybe you did take an hour walk. Maybe you did instead of just lay around. I mean, just look at the little things you did. Maybe you did something very compassionate for somebody. This is a healthy way to start looking at successes and you should celebrate this. I mean, people beat themselves up a lot. So anything you accomplish during the day, think about it. What did I. What did I enjoy about whatever it was didn't it make me feel more confident? Didn't it make me feel stronger? Didn't it make me feel like I can overcome obstacles? I mean, we can look at, oh, I have to have the grit not to eat that cheesecake. Or wow, it makes me feel good to resist that temptation. So the success is in the moment. Of course, it's nice if people have helped you in some way or another in whatever it is in your life, and you realize that everybody likes to feel appreciated and you give them props. Having been there, it's easy to forget that people have helped us. But celebrating successes in the way I'm talking about includes just slowing down and appreciating. And live the moment and celebrate. Get a massage, have a game night, go on adventure, try a new hobby, walk, watch a sunset, have dinner with some people, whatever. I mean, almost anything can be a celebration. I my personal racing boat is being all fixed up. She's 19 years old and she needs to be buffed and puffed, as we call it. So I'm not going to have her for a couple of months. So I didn't want to be off the water when they did have races. So one of my crew was friends with somebody who had a boat we could use and he came on with us with his son. Very nice people. And it was blowing all to hell and the sea was choppy and this is a heavy boat with a very big rudder and a steering wheel, but still. And you know, I weigh like 112 pounds on a good day. If I was a 200 pound guy, it would have been an easier experience. We missed winning overall by, I think, 30 seconds or less. I didn't actually do the math, but it was microscopic. We missed second place by like 10 seconds. So here I am in this heavy boat. I'm not used to driving at all in inclement weather, being small. And I could have felt bad that if a guy had been at the helm, maybe some of the turns would have been a little easier. Although I jibed real well, it was just one tack. Took me a little while because I had to figure out where to put my feet.
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Dr. Laura Schlessinger
Wasn't that delicious? So good.
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Dr. Laura Schlessinger
I got it. No, I got it. Seriously, I insist. I assisted first.
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Dr. Laura Schlessinger
You don't be silly.
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Dr. Laura Schlessinger
Okay. Rock, paper, scissors for it.
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Rock, paper, scissors.
Dr. Laura Schlessinger
Shoot.
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Dr. Laura Schlessinger
But maybe that 30 seconds maybe. I mean, I don't really know, but maybe. Let's just say yes. If one of the 200 pound guys who really knew how to drive drove instead of me, we might have won overall instead of getting third overall. So I could spend my time feeling really bad about myself that I'm not a man, that I'm not £200 with 10 years experience driving this kind of boat. I mean, I could do that to myself. Instead, I've been walking around saying I'm 72 in a week. I weigh half of what these guys weigh. I have Microscopic experience with this boat. It was very bad weather, and I drove her to third place, I skippered her to third place, and all the bigger boats behind us, we crushed them. So I look at it as a huge success because, given all the particulars, pretty damn terrific. And the crew was amazing. The tactician was brilliant. We had a couple of things we had to deal with, and we did it beautifully. We had some kelp on the rudder for probably a minute or two, and that slowed us down. And that might have been it right there. Maybe if that kelp hadn't been on there and then we finally got it off, we would have won. Who knows? Who knows? But as I said, I could look at it two ways. I look at it as a major success. So it's all in how you define it. So winning is wonderful, but it's not the only way to tease out the concept of success. For all the particulars I mentioned, I did an amazing job. I sort of have to sit there and go, you're kidding me. I actually pulled that off. Wow. Jeez. Who would think it was tough? It was tough. Very hard to steer that boat in the wind and waves. And so I'm very proud of myself. And if I had to go on the boat again, which I will in three weeks, because this particular race is in three parts spread over two months. So you need to look at the moment with some objectivity and celebrate yourself. I put my. Came home, took a hot shower, put my feet up, watched a good movie and dozed off because I was stressed out and tired. But I'm very. I feel that was a major success. Anything you do in the day that you conquer, be proud of it. Can't get a trophy for everything. I do something complicated with the glass art that I do, and I stand there and I go, it's not perfect, but that's pretty damn good. And I think if I did it 10 more times, I don't think it could get more perfect than what it is now, quite frankly. Because when you're dealing with inks, you know, on glass, it's not easy. So you do your best, and then you look at it and go, that's pretty darn good, considering this is mushy stuff. So that's what I need you to do. And that's why I said, this is going to be a very important commentary. Some of you just will only do things if there's a reward at the end, and you raise your kids like that. That's not good. And sometimes you don't reward yourself at all for major things. I mean, you can grit your teeth and do, You know, keep yourself from things with gritted teeth. Or you can be proud of yourself for resisting. And that's the way to say it. I'm good. I choose to be proud of myself for resisting these cookies. I want to be proud of myself for resisting. It'll be a big success if I resist. How about you talk to yourself that way? What do you think? I think it's a good idea. My number 1-800-375-2872.
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Host: Dr. Laura Schlessinger
Date: April 4, 2026
In this episode, Dr. Laura takes an in-depth look at the idea of “success,” challenging the usual metrics and encouraging listeners to redefine what achievement means on a personal, day-to-day level. Drawing from her own experiences and practical psychology, she explores why recognizing and celebrating small victories is crucial to our well-being and confidence—far beyond the awards and accolades society typically values.
[01:26] Dr. Laura Schlessinger:
[01:50] Dr. Laura Schlessinger:
[03:40] Dr. Laura Schlessinger:
[09:03] Dr. Laura Schlessinger:
[11:41] Dr. Laura Schlessinger:
On Everyday Success:
“Celebrate daily successes in order to have a life that feels good.”
— Dr. Laura Schlessinger [01:50]
On Self-Appreciation:
“Anything you do in the day that you conquer, be proud of it. Can’t get a trophy for everything.”
— Dr. Laura Schlessinger [10:54]
On Changing the Narrative:
“I look at it as a huge success because, given all the particulars, pretty damn terrific.”
— Dr. Laura Schlessinger [09:45]
On Internal Motivation:
“How about you talk to yourself that way? What do you think? I think it’s a good idea.”
— Dr. Laura Schlessinger [13:32]
Dr. Laura maintains her trademark direct, empathetic, and practical tone throughout the episode—frequently using anecdotes and rhetorical questions to drive home her points. She encourages both self-compassion and practical action, adopting a chummy, motivating style.
Dr. Laura’s “The Notion of Success” offers a refreshing, realistic look at achievement and happiness. By sharing both relatable stories and actionable advice, she pushes listeners to value their personal growth and everyday victories, not just the grand milestones. Her perspective suggests that genuine confidence and satisfaction come from within, and her message is as much about resilience as it is about redefining what it means to “succeed.”
Recommended for:
Listeners who struggle with perfectionism, parents concerned about motivation in their kids, or anyone seeking a healthier, more positive relationship with their own achievements.