A Gold Star Celebration: From "What If" to Worldwide

Who remembers kindergarten? I do! It was a space of creativity, fun, and celebration. Gold stars, scratch-n-sniff stickers, cupcakes on birthdays—it was a time when even the smallest win was honored. And somewhere along the way, we lost that.

As adults, life became heavier. We reserved celebration for the “big things” and forgot that the small wins mattered, too. But what if we brought that joy, that wonder, that recognition back into our lives?

This week, I’m celebrating something big—our 20th episode of The Free Advantage! 

Get Your Shine

This milestone means more to me than I can say. And in the vein of celebrating I want to celebrate and give gratitude for those who helped me get here.

Two months before I started The Free Advantage, I worked with a dear friend and brilliant light in the world—AJ Sarcione, founder of Get Your Shine. Through his powerful Imagination Method, he helped me walk in my Authentic Authority and uncover my own “What If” statement.

“What if I change how people view themselves and the world?
What if it spreads globally, and they come together in acceptance instead of defiance?
What if they heal?

That question shifted something deep in me. It reawakened my authority, my alignment, and my mission. That “what if” lit the fire under this podcast. And here we are—20 episodes later—with listeners from across the globe. 🌍

AJ’s work helped me shine—and I’m forever grateful. If you're looking for clarity, vision, or your next “what if,” I can’t recommend AJ and The Imagination Method enough.

It’s In The Little Things

In this celebratory episode, we discuss the importance of honoring our everyday wins and adopting a playful, joyful mindset in our personal growth.

We’re reviving something nostalgic and powerful: The Gold Star Chart. Not just as a childhood memory—but as a daily practice of gratitude, recognition, and self-worth.

Celebration isn't reserved for life's big milestones—it belongs in our everyday. In this episode, we reclaim the joy of acknowledging our small wins. Whether it's finishing the laundry, setting a boundary, or showing up on a hard day—those moments deserve a gold star. 

Gold Star Chart

Constantly striving without pause for celebration can leave us feeling empty, exhausted, and unseen. When we return to playful celebration—like the gold stars of our youth—we strengthen our self-worth, reinforce our values, and bring lightness back into our lives. 

Kindergarten had it right.

 Recognition doesn’t need to be earned with perfection. Celebration is a mindset—one that fuels confidence, connection, and motivation. We can use joy and creativity as tools for transformation.

Here’s how you can start celebrating your own wins today:

 Set Intentions, Not Perfection: Focus on showing up, not being flawless.

 Share Your Wins: Tell a friend, post it online, text it to someone you trust. Let your joy ripple out.

 Celebrate in Your Own Way: A journal entry, a dance party, a quiet prayer of gratitude—it doesn’t have to be big to be real.

 Start Your Gold Star Chart: Pick one thing each day you’re proud of and give yourself a star. And let it shine!

Celebration isn’t just about ego. It’s about building internal respect and gratitude. When we stop to honor our small wins, we reconnect with our worth. We interrupt the cycle of shame and scarcity. We make space for joy and curiosity.

Reflection | Challenge Exercise

🌟 Start your own Gold Star Chart.

You can do this on paper or poster board, like in school, or you can even do what I do. Open your notes app, type it in, and add your gold star emoji beside it.

Or you can click this link here and download your own gold star chart from me to you!

Start with one win every day—big or small—and celebrate it. Then move up to see if you can find more each day.

 Ask yourself:

“What’s one thing I’m proud of today?”

 Then give yourself that star.
Because YOU deserve it.

My Gold Stars

As I encourage you to do so for yourself, I want to share my Gold Star Chart from this past week with you.

Here are a few of my stars:

⭐️ The past 3 weeks, I have been caretaking around the clock for a family member recovering from surgery and have managed to get my podcast done and published and still meet my milestones!

⭐️ I have been sleeping well and cultivating a better sleep habit.

⭐️ I fed myself today.

⭐️ Upkept my laundry and personal spaces despite being busy

⭐️ Followed my intuition this week.

⭐️I reached my 20th episode on my podcast!

Some of these may seem minor. But acknowledging them?
Makes all the difference.

It’s Powerful. Healing. Motivating.

Key Takeaways

• Celebrating your wins builds motivation, worth, and momentum.
  
  
• This moment right here? It matters. And it’s worth celebrating.
  
  
• Growth doesn’t always have to be serious. It can be lighthearted and creative.
  
  
• The Gold Star Chart is more than a childhood tool—it’s a symbol of recognition, validation, and delight.
  
  
• We don’t have to wait for the “big win.” Every step is worth celebrating.
  
  

Final Thoughts

This moment right here? It’s going on my Gold Star Chart. Because 20 episodes in, I’m more committed than ever to walking with you on this journey toward freedom. Celebrate with me. Honor your path. And let your joy shine like it was meant to.

Let’s reclaim the joy of growing. Let’s make celebration a part of our healing.
And let’s never again let a good moment pass by unnoticed.

Because Freedom is the advantage you already own.

Download Your Gold Star Chart Now!

✨ Want more? Check out the following!

AJ Sarcione | Communication & Brand Advisor | Speaker | Author | Certified HeartMath® Trainer

AJ is a communication and brand advisor, speaker, and author who helps individuals and organizations around the world communicate with clarity, confidence, and impact. With a career blending corporate leadership and entrepreneurial innovation, he believes effective communication is the key to success in relationships, career growth, brand development, employee satisfaction, and leadership.

Helping leaders and organizations craft authentic, vision-driven communications to transform culture and elevate brand reputation, AJ specializes in change management and employee engagement, unlocking potential that creates a lasting, positive impact.

AJ’s career includes pioneering Yahoo’s first internal brand and marketing division, where he reignited a culture of optimism and positivity. Following Yahoo's acquisition by Verizon, he became Head of MOJO and Employee Experience, fostering global alignment and resilience. As a Certified HeartMath® Trainer, AJ integrates emotional intelligence and resilience-building techniques into his work, using his Imagination Method™ and S.H.I.N.E. Framework™ to improve communication and leadership effectiveness.

AJ is based in the Dallas-Fort Worth area and offers services both in-person and virtually.

Learn more about AJ Sarcione and his transformational Imagination Method at www.ajsarcione.com or www.getyourshine.com