[MRD85]

Success isn't the best possible outcome vs worst possible outcome scenario you're describing. I made a decision at 30 to improve my life and three years later I'm reaping benefits.

Consider an obese man looking at a fitness model and saying "I want to look like that". He might never reach it but if he loses weight and becomes fitter and healthier then his effort paid off. He might think he failed but he's landed in a better position. I often remind myself that when I'm doing something I don't want to that I'm paying it forward to a future version of me.