What it means to be doing well

Doing well means that you are making progress, feeling good about what you are doing, and seeing positive results from your efforts. It does not mean being perfect or the best - it means improving, learning, and moving forward.

For example, it might mean:

• You are reaching your goals, whether big or small.
• You feel happy or satisfied with what you are doing.
• You are learning new things and growing as a person.
• You feel motivated to keep going, even when things are challenging.
• You get positive feedback from others or notice improvements in yourself.

Some people describe this as being successful or succeeding.

Why it is good to know when you are doing well 

Knowing when you are doing well helps you stay motivated and confident. It reminds you that your efforts are making a difference and encourages you to keep trying. It also helps you understand what is working so you can do more of it.

For example, doing well might:

• Boost your confidence and make you feel proud of yourself.
• Encourage you to keep working towards your goals.
• Help you learn what actions bring success, so you can repeat them.
• Remind you that challenges can be overcome with effort.
• Allow you to celebrate progress, not just final results.

How to tell when you are doing well

There are many ways to tell if you are doing well. Sometimes, it is about how you feel, and other times, it is about what you can see or measure.

When you are doing good work, you often experience positive emotions and a sense of accomplishment. Some feelings you may notice include:

• Satisfaction: Feeling proud of progress or achieving a goal.
• Confidence: Feeling sure of your abilities and decisions as you complete tasks successfully.
• Motivation: A desire to continue working and improving because you see the value in what you are doing.
• Engagement: Being fully focused and interested in the task, making time pass quickly.
• Achievement: A sense of being pleased with producing high quality work or solving a difficult problem.

These are all pleasant feelings to experience and should make you want to do more. 

Beyond how you feel, there are other signs that show you are performing well:

• Positive feedback: Others recognise and appreciate your effort and results.
• Consistent progress: You are moving forward steadily and meeting milestones.
• Improved skills: Your ability to complete similar tasks is getting better over time.
• Achieving goals: Your work contributes to a larger goal, making a meaningful impact.
• Increased responsibility: Others trust you with more complex or important tasks.

Remember, that the way that you get this sort of feedback might change depending on the country or culture. For example, in some cultures you are more likely to be praised than others. In some settings, such as in the workplace, you are more likely to be given greater responsibility than in others like school or your wider life.