Where Does Success Begin?

When do I get to call myself "successful," and like the movie character, Rocky, stand proudly on high, arms outstretched over my head, surveying my accomplishments below?

Does that brand apply only after my entire, complete, absolute goal has been achieved? Upon reaching that summit and overcoming each and every barrier, do I then - and only then - transition from "failure" to "success?" I mean, somewhere, at some indefinable point along the journey - even if I were not able to travel the road as far or quickly as originally planned - it would still seem that I am entitled to call whatever I accomplished, "victory."

It goes without saying that upon 100 percent accomplishment of my goal I am "successful." But in reality, success starts prior to completion. On the thousand-mile journey, should I fall short by one step, we would call it a triumph. So, if 99.9 percent is "victory;" can we not stretch it to 99.8 percent - or even 98.4 percent? Where do we draw the line before rewards are appropriate?

This is not merely an ethereal discussion without real-life implication, similar to "how many angels can dance on the head of a pin." These terms we toss about: "success," "failure," "victory," "defeat;" are bound, Gordian-knot style into our psyche. They manipulate us emotionally; and it is what we feel - far beyond what we think - that drives action. The totality of those actions we call "life." Therefore, these powerful words, and their associated feelings, determine the quality of our life, and whether we are "successful" or a "failure." The cycle begins and ends with words. Therefore what we choose to say matters to the highest degree.

Refraining from the celebration and recognition of the small successes peppered throughout our daily lives will not drive us harder to accomplish our goals. Counter intuitively, the opposite is true, to be truly successful, it is essential that we find small victories often and regularly. Success - with a capital "S" - is not borne unto its own. Rather, it is formed via a series of small "s" successes, each allowing the opportunity for reflection, evaluation, and celebration.

As an example, many (including myself) herald my seventy-pound weight loss as success. Yet I actually only lost one pound - and repeated the process 70 times, constantly reminding myself how great it was for every accomplishment that stuck, instead of - as I had done in former days - holding back congratulations until the end of the line, which I never reached.

To believe that, "Nothing short of my goal is success" is a noble, but misguided, thought, as it keeps us focused always on the distance yet to travel, rather than the day-to-day accomplishments already achieved. That, simply stated, is discouraging. Discouragement is the cement that holds us stagnant.

Once I could accept that each pound, or every meal, or even getting back on track after falling off, was success, I began enjoying the fruits of my efforts and looked forward with anticipation, rather than dread. This drove me to push forward, eventually reaching my goal.

Success is interwoven in every accomplishment, no matter how small; it's much more prevalent than we notice. Furthermore, we will only achieve the big goals when we acknowledge our victory over the little ones.