My take on "success" is that it means whatever you want it to mean.
For example, earlier today I had an itch. On my back. It was quite a conundrum. Luckily, I happened to be the right man at the right place for the job. I was equal to the challenge. First, I tried various contortions, stretching my ligaments to their fullest. That wasn't initially successful, but I've learned resilience over the years. At times like this, I remember the Marine Corps maxim: "improvise, adapt, overcome." I spied a book marker with just the right stiffness, slid it down my shirt, turned it on it's corner, and conquered that itch.
Now, many people will accomplish many other things over the course of the day, but I'm the only one who made the world a better place by conquering that itch.
I mean, yesterday we learned that my DD9 won some state competition thingy... that's pretty cool for her, I guess.
There are tons of other people who call themselves "successful" for acquiring large piles of green paper, but what on earth is that good for?
