Have you ever run a marathon?
I personally have not, but I know people who have. But of those I know who have run a marathon, not one of them has ever won a marathon.
However, if you know anything about marathons and race culture, then you probably know that you don’t have to win a marathon to receive a medal—anyone who successfully completes a marathon gets a medal.
Why? Because completing a marathon is a huge personal success—no matter how fast or slow you might be. It may be called a ‘race,’ but the vast majority of marathon runners aren’t very concerned with racing their fellow competitors across the finish line… they’re just focused on crossing the finish line. And that, to them, is success.
In an article titled “The Definition of Success,” author Michele Cushatt offered these wise words:
“…success isn’t a product of doing everything with perfection or getting truckloads of affirmation. Success is being brave enough to show up. To risk. To try. To put yourself out there and be seen. And to show your truest self to the world without holding back.”
I love this statement—it is so very true: “Success isn’t a product of doing everything with perfection… Success is being brave enough to show up.” The vast majority of marathon runners do not run the race perfectly. They do not achieve a perfect time, beat everyone else across the finish line, and win the race. And yet, they are brave enough to show up. They are brave enough to try. And they are brave enough to give it their all, and to measure their own success—no matter the success of anyone else.
How about you? Are you brave enough to show up, to risk, to try, and to put yourself out there? Don’t worry about measuring yourself against the success of anyone else. Show up… try… and measure your own success!
