[zerkten]

> Or perhaps I'm looking at this question the wrong way?

Yes. Achievement is much messier than we like to present it. HN is often not a good place to observe or discuss achievement before there are very polarized views that don't consider the impact of the achievement, or rail against an achievement because of the costs.

An example might be Elon Musk, but he could be substituted for many other people. It doesn't really matter because the pattern is similar. These individuals have outsized achievements that their core audience lauds. These achievements have costs, ranging from material impacts through to reputation. On the path to that achievement there are decision points with costs which only some people can bear.

The point I want to get to, is that individual achievements aren't the only kind and most people start to rethink their original ideas of achievement. As you get older, you have more joint achievements, or you get more satisfaction from helping others achieve big things.

So, as others have stated, understand your audience and work towards achievements for them. Just remember that your are more likely to become an expert in the area and be part of many joint achievements and help others break through. If you fall into the trap of individual achievement over all else, then you won't be able to recognize these things.