"We never know when we have succeeded best."
~ Miguel de Unamuno ~
Experiencing small victories in life, we have to be extra vigilant to watch for ego enlargement. It's so easy to become smug, and yet, doing so invites a knock-down. What rises by anything other than grace and love will be corrected and re-positioned.
So the answer to success is gratitude and a certain amount of honest humility. It's ok to be pleased with our efforts, and even proud of them, but to equally recognize that on a different day, in a different situation, we may not bloom so brightly.
I feel and express my appreciation whenever things go well, but understand that it takes a lot more than just me to create a winning situation.
