Most people corrupt themselves to become successful out of insecurity - that's why they're miserable and need validation for their success. They don't WANT to be successful. They just feel like they HAVE to be successful in order to amount to anything. When you WANT to be successful and also don't give a single damn about it - that's when success finds you without taking away your happiness. Taking pleasure in your work is a guarantee for success. Taking pleasure in your success is a guarantee for happiness.