Well, success is relative because it is closely related to the measure of happiness and happiness is indeed very subjective. People who are truly happy have a healthy mix of success at work and at home. Trouble is that proportion of ingredients in this healthy mix is itself determined by individual needs. Some professionals need a decent well paying job without too many hassles and a loving family to feel happy and successful. Others want to make steady progress up the corporate ladder to feel important and successful, while family comes next.

Individual perspectives evolve and change with time as people grow old and often feel older than their real ages as they weather the corporate storms at work. Usually with kids growing up, priorities change and executives start looking for jobs in more stable corporates to get that elusive work-life balance. I personally feel that that is the way to go.

Again, it is all very subjective but I know with certanity that family is important and the right mix of work-family life can make you more successful at work and happier in life.