How much gaining it needs to call you a successful man? How much reciept it needs to call your life fraught? May be it seems the questions are too easy to answer. But if you think deeply, you may find it very hard this question to answer. I think the answer of such type of questions are very hard, relative and vary from person to person. Perhaps there is no boundary after passing that one can call other about success.
I am now sharing an experience in my life. When I was at primary level of my study life, they called me if you got distinction marks in final exam of primary education, then you were successful. After that they called me about my success if I got marks above discrimination in my final exam of secondary level. The same person told me, no one will see your mark at this level after five years if I couldn't admit in any university, my life is totally loss. Now they say me if I don't get a good job, my life is total loss. It seems their expectations will never end. It will increase time after time.
But I think why I count them to calculate my success? Who are they to do it? They will always criticise us, our life. I can't be happy if I can't ignore them. They are just bullshit. But many of us can't ignore them. And they go in a race to fulfill their desire and make their life hell. And this is now a brutal problem in our country.
I think he who is happy with what he is now, what he has, is the most successful man. To be successful, one don't need to get anything new or to go a desired position. If you are happy enough from where you are now, then you are the most successful man.