Good post. Yes - if you're writing, you're winning.
Jack Canfield, one of the co-authors of the Chicken Soup for the Soul series of books, says that becoming a millionaire is a worthwhile goal, not so much for the million, but because of the person you become in the process of becoming a millionaire.
I think the same applies to any worthwhile goal, any goal that stretches you. And finishing a novel is a huge achievement, all by itself, and as you so well say, should be celebrated. Many people don't even achieve that.
And overcomign your fears to send the novel out, is a huge achievement. Even more so, sending it out AGAIN when it's rejected the first time, is a major achievement. Shows guts and determination and all sorts of good things.
And sitting down to write the next novel - that is the first step to another major achievement.
Go for it.