I have been enjoying the amazing performances by an elite runner Ryan Hall. He is the American record holder in the half-marathon (59 min 43 sec) and is currently heading to Beijing to represent America in the Olympic marathon. His running is beyond understanding yet I am most impressed with his definition of success. I believe his perspective can help so many people find fulfillment in their journeys as well.

Ryan has a strong Christian faith and realized that his Olympic dream had consumed him to the point that running became his God. The challenge with this is significant. When a goal has become so consuming that you lose yourself in it, then your sense of worth and contentment are completely dependent upon your activity. That is, your state of being is completely dependent upon your state of doing. When the results are good, you are good. When the results are bad, you are bad. This is beyond just being focused on a goal, rather it is when your identity has been defined by the goal.

Ryan has since realized that his worth comes from being a child of God rather than by the results of his running. His gratitude is now huge for the gifts that he has been given. Consequently, his goal when running is to praise God and let his achievements glorify Him.

For many people this may seem so far out there it is hard to grasp. However, I really encourage you to think this one through. If you believe you were created by God, then there is nothing greater (& more appropriate) than to give thanks for life and for the blessings you have been given. Further, when you set the goal of your life to praise God and let your achievements glorify him, then you have now set yourself up to win big time.

For Ryan, establishing such a goal does two things: First it gives him a goal that he actually has total control over. He can choose to praise God and glorify Him with any achievements. Nobody else can stop that. Second, his motive for Olympic gold would be to glorify God rather than to glorify himself. Either way, Ryan’s personal contentment is intact because Ryan has achieved his goal regardless of the outcome of the race. Does it diminish his passion for Olympic gold? Not at all! In fact, it’s just the opposite. Many people will do more for others than they even will for themselves. Ryan is running not for himself or even others, but for his God. Now that’s motivation! What would you be willing to do for God with the gifts that He has given you?

Ryan has defined success into a guarantee. He is in a no lose situation. What if you considered defining success the way he has? How would your life change? I believe success is living a life on purpose. Discover the life purpose for which God has specifically designed you. Pursue it and let your life reflect it. Fulfill it and give the glory to God since it was He who enabled you from the beginning.

Note: Since the video of Ryan Hall was produced, he won the US Olympic Trials setting a new Olympic Trials record. The Olympic marathon is Sunday, August 19, 2008.