Project members bring effort, care and energy to accomplish a collective goal—celebrating is a powerful way of recognizing that. It reinforces what’s meaningful to us, acting as a punctuation to digest and savor our experience for what it was, to enrich what may come next.

Unfortunately, most teams allow project timelines and results (or the lack of them) to dictate those moments of closure.

Everyone starts projects, many of us forget to close them.

When we work on a project-basis, we typically go from one assignment to another or juggle a few at once.

We may…

• Be stuck on a project hamster wheel
• Think this particular project isn’t worth reflecting on
• Roll off before the rest of the team or have faded out
• Not feel good about the project outcomes

Think of projects like a loop. Once the loop is open, it needs to be closed at some point. Otherwise, it continues to live in our minds, popping up at inopportune times.

Closing a loop happens by reflecting on how things unfolded, appreciating all of the effort we put into it and celebrating a job well done. Here’s how:

Step 1: Choose a good moment to convene

Observe the rhythm of the project and the team’s energy and schedules. Then, extend a light-hearted invitation. It’s not to be mistaken for a retrospective, or turn into a drawn-out Doodle affair.

Step 2: Design a ritual

Consider what would make you and other members feel seen for your unique contributions. Your ritual may involve certain forms of public acknowledgement, a symbolic action or a go-around-the-table share.

Step 3: Decide what you’ll take with you, moving forward

Lovingly letting go of the should-have’s and could-have’s will release energy for whatever you want to do next.

What did you learn, alone and together?