[ronster]

This evokes value judgements and if you choose to live your life based on how others think you should live it then you're not really living your life are you? Mediocre to one person may be a personal triumph to another. One of the factors that has been left out is luck or being at the right place at the right time. Sometimes no amount of talent, skill or ambition can make up for being at the right place at the right time and recognizing an opportunity.