TV Presenter Sam Thompson and Life Coach Selina Barker encourage the nation to recognise small wins

• Research from Coca‑Cola Zero Sugar reveals the top small wins that are improving the nations day with finding cash in an old wallet topping the list (62 percent)
• TV personality and presenter Sam Thompson has been sharing his own small triumphs to encourage the nation to embrace their small wins with a Coca‑Cola Zero Sugar
• Life Coach Selina Barker has explained the mood boosting benefits of celebrating the small wins for yourself and those around you
• Over half of the nation admit celebrating their small win by telling others (52 percent), with a quarter admitting they do a celebratory dance (27 percent) or do something as simple as having a refreshing drink on the sofa (21 percent)

25^th February 2025, LONDON – New research from Coca‑Cola Zero Sugar reveals that Brits are increasingly finding happiness in everyday "small wins," with a surprising one in four (27%) prioritising celebrating these moments over major milestones like having a baby or buying a house.

The Little Things That Spark Joy

The study, which polled 2,000 people, found that the majority of Brits (77 percent) believe it’s the little things that make them smile. From finally tackling that nagging chore (53 percent) to receiving an unexpected pay boost (45 percent), these small victories are adding up to big moments of joy. Other popular wins include a loved one preparing a meal (42 percent), unexpected sun during a walk (41 percent), a good hair day (40 percent), and snagging that perfect parking spot (38 percent). And for some, it's the simple pleasures: a quarter (28 percent) find joy in a smile from a good-looking stranger, finishing work before a holiday, or seeing their suitcase first on the baggage carousel.

On A Winning Streak

Brits are experiencing an average of 15 little wins a week – a significant increase from three years ago for a third (31 percent) of respondents. Women seem to embrace this positive trend, with 73 percent (compared to men at 61 percent) agreeing that these small moments brighten their day.

Leeds Leads The Way

Residents of Leeds are leading the charge, averaging 16.8 small wins a week, while those in Plymouth experience the fewest (11.4).

Celebrating The Small Stuff

So how do Brits celebrate these mini milestones? The top choices include treating themselves to something new (27 percent), busting a move with a celebratory dance (27 percent), indulging in a takeaway (25 percent), a triumphant fist pump (24 percent), or simply enjoying a well-deserved lie-in (23 percent). And for one in five (21 percent), a refreshing drink on the sofa, like an ice-cold Coca‑Cola Zero Sugar, is the perfect way to savour the moment.

Talking about the findings, TV personality and presenter Sam Thompson is encouraging Brits to celebrate small everyday wins: "I always start my day saying it's going to be a good one, but it's the small wins that make it good! I was surprised how many wins I actually noticed when I started to look out for them – from nailing a tricky recipe, to just catching up with my sister. Celebrating those little moments together makes them even better. Cheers to celebrating the small wins with a Coca‑Cola Zero Sugar!"

The research also found half of respondents say celebrating these small moments helps keep them motivated (61 percent) and boosts their mood and confidence (48 percent). More than half (52 percent) enjoy sharing their joy with loved ones, with 38 percent believing that mini wins are best celebrated together.

“In our fast-paced world, it can be easy to overlook the small wins and keep chasing after the next big thing” notes Life Coach Selina Barker. “Shifting our focus to spot and celebrate the small daily wins in life - by enjoying a favourite drink, dancing in the kitchen, or high-fiving a loved one - can make a real difference. Flexing that ‘celebration’ muscle every day helps boost our mood, confidence and motivates us to go after our goals and dreams. At first, shifting your mindset to notice these moments might feel tricky, but once you do, you’ll be surprised at how naturally you start to recognize and celebrate them. And how much you enjoy it!”

While more than three quarters (78 percent) of all respondents believe small wins become more important in adult life, it’s the 18-29 age group who feel their impact most keenly, averaging 18.4 little wins a week.

Emma George Marketing Manager for Coca‑Cola at The Coca‑Cola Company Great Britain, which commissioned the research, added: “It’s important to celebrate life’s little wins and special moments. We know that a refreshing Coca‑Cola Zero Sugar can be the perfect complement to any occasion, especially those everyday moments of joy. This research reinforces the importance of savouring those small wins, and we're proud to be a part of them."

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

About the research:

This research of 2,000 Britons was commissioned by Coca‑Cola and conducted by Perspectus Global in January 2025.

About Selina Barker:

Selina Barker is a Career and Life Design Coach, author and international speaker, who has been helping people break free from burnout and create lives and careers they love for almost two decades.

She has coached a long list of clients from Google, Apple and UN Women, to recording artists, best-selling authors, and leaders in the tech, finance, creative and music industries.

Her book ‘Burnt Out: the exhausted person’s six-step guide to thriving in a fast-paced world’ was published in April 2021 and has been translated into multiple languages.

She is creator of the Audible Series The Career Change Coach and the Project You journals.

About Coca‑Cola Great Britain:

Coca‑Cola Great Britain is responsible for marketing 13 brands and over 55 products to consumers across Great Britain. Led by Coca‑Cola, one of the world's most valuable and recognisable brands, our company portfolio includes Fanta, Sprite, Dr Pepper, Oasis, glaceau smartwater, Schweppes and Powerade.