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Kids out here in West Texas are celebrating today. Why? Because it is a snow day! Again.

Thanks to the "Monster Storm" that blew in here dumping ice and snow and causing single digit temperatures, there has been no school for four days now. There also hasn't been much of anything else productive considering very few businesses have been able to open, the roads are virtually impassable and the airport is shut down.

Now, I imagine my wonderful Canadian clients are laughing about now. What, a few inches of snow? What is the big deal? All I can say is that this is real. And real COLD!

Well, back to my point. Celebrating!

When was the last time you celebrated something with your team? Has it been weeks? Maybe months? Oh, please tell me it hasn't been years!!!! Do you remember the last time you celebrated something?

OK. Grab a pen and paper. Quickly write down all of the accomplishments your team has had in the past three months. What milestones, large and small, has your team achieved? Depending on the type of work your team is doing, you should be able to come up with 5-25 accomplishments. Now, how many of these did you celebrate?

Team celebrations are essential. Celebrations help connect each team member's work with the bigger picture, and put hard work and challenges in perspective. Without celebrations, team members get bogged down and lose sight of just how much progress they have actually made. Most importantly, celebrations reinforce excellent work. And if you want your team to continue producing excellent work, then you have to recognize the excellent work that has already been done.

With many projects taking months, if not years to complete, you absolutely cannot wait until the end of a project to celebrate. Your team needs many celebrations along the way to stay focused and to infuse energy for the challenges ahead. Besides, many team members who are part of the beginning of the project aren't even still associated with the project when it is completed.

Celebrations don't have to be time-consuming or expensive. Most celebrations should be conducted in the workplace, during working hours and for one hour or less. Just assemble everyone in a common place, offer up some free food, insist on all team members attending and then use the time to genuinely acknowledge, recognize and express appreciation for what's been accomplished. You and your team will reap huge benefits from this simple celebration!

So, with your list of milestones fresh in your mind, make plans now to have a celebration next week. What are you waiting for?

As for me, I am celebrating that the temperature outside has now reached a balmy 16 degrees! Stay warm.