The Rising of a Star?

I've been thinking a lot lately about success. Not the standard question, "how can I be more successful?"  (which is usually just a tasteful coverup for "how can I make more money?")

My question is completely different: Have I already succeeded, and just failed to notice?

From 2000-2004, one very specific goal defined success for me – winning the US Olympic Trials.  With that ultimate date and location in mind, my team made a detailed list of  improvements to focus on day to day during our...