You don't have to be the CEO of your organization, or even an executive, to feel successful. Perhaps you're an up and coming rookie who's doing a great job, an effective team leader, or simply someone on whom others can consistently count. Perhaps you're earning a high salary, but think again if you believe that in and of itself is a fair measure of your success. I would rather have a solid reputation in my organization and/or industry, although earning big bucks is a definite plus! As you proceed in your career, measure yourself by your own definition of success, not someone else's. Whatever your field of endeavor, each step up the ladder predictably means more responsibility, longer hours, and often, more stress. It also means more visibility for what you're able to achieve, as well as for your mistakes.