Definition of Success

How do you define success?  I've been thinking about this quite a bit for the last several days.  With the conclusion of our Biggest Loser competition, it's been on my mind.  And I've found that the answer is one that changes, depending on the situation.

For example, in our Biggest Loser competition, the winners are considered successful.  Does that mean that everyone who didn't win is not successful?  If that's the case, then I'm in trouble, because I finished last!

But as I've pondered the question, I've come up with this answer.  Success is defined by what you set out to achieve.  In the beginning, I wanted to continue on my weight loss journey, which is why I encouraged people to join our Biggest Loser competition.  As the months have gone by, however, I have struggled to lose any new weight.  With the natural cycle in our bodies as fall and winter approach, I found that I couldn't continue on the loss cycle I had started in the summer.   But I did find that I could stay focused and work through these struggles.  With that in mind, my goal changed.  It became a goal to maintain my summer success rather than lose new weight.

As my goal changed, so did my definition of success.  Success for me wasn't losing a lot of weight any more.  Success would be defined by how I ended this competition.  I have been successful - even in last place.  I maintained my weight through the natural cycle of fall & winter, through the holidays, and through the family events that have occurred in the last four months.

I have set a new goal for the New Year.  I plan to continue my weight loss journey.  With my new goal, I plan to lose new weight.  But just as with my old goal, this new goal will be evaluated as time goes by and may need a little tweeking.  The overall journey is the same.

How do you define success?  I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments section below.