In addition to a scrumptious dish, you have good reason to pat yourself on the back.

WSJ: Sean Brock's Butter-Braised Asparagus With Shrimp and Lemon Hollandaise | Slow Food Fast

Along the way, pat yourself on the back for taking your company to higher levels of profitability.

FORBES: The Value of Management Consulting: Proven

MorganChase (JPM), Google (GOOG), and Citigroup (C), you should pat yourself on the back for being among the smart-money crowd.

FORBES: 700 U.S. Hedge Funds With Assets of $1.25 trillion Remain Bullish on Stocks

If you are an employee and you are already saving at least 10% of your salary, pat yourself on the back.

WSJ: How to Save More For Retirement Without Really Trying

Pat yourself on the back for doing it in the privacy of your own office and not in front of real live people.

FORBES: Presenting You and Your Business: Opportunities Not To Be Missed (Especially In A Wacky Economy)

"I am a person who loves to take little victory laps whenever I can because the market is so fleeting, and you need to pat yourself on the back for a good call whenever you have the opportunity because tomorrow could be a different story, " Ms. Freedman says.

WSJ: WSJ Best on the Street stock analysts: clothing and accessories

Should the absence of half their lineup and the general infirmity of the remaining half sink the Yankees' season, you'll be able to get tickets just behind the dugouts on the cheap and pat yourself on the back for being the kind of true fan who sits through all nine innings of a 10-run blowout.

WSJ: How to Enjoy Lousy Baseball