Measures of success

"We are here to learn about love, compassion, kindness, and nonviolence. Success should be measured by these qualities. Are we becoming a more understanding and empathic person? If so, we are successful. The soul clings to such learning, because these are spiritual truths. With my clients who excelled professionally yet still felt unhappy, we worked on focusing on the core values of being a better, kinder person. At that point, their outlook began to improve. That is, after all, why they are here on Earth--and why we are here. Our purpose in life is not to be a bestselling author, or to have a financially lucrative career, or to be a star. It is to be a more loving, compassionate person. Successes can be used to further the spiritual path and to reach many people, but they are merely one possible means and not the end. The true goal is to help others, and if you make that your goal, eventually you'll become that bestselling author, or the multimillionaire--or not. It won't matter. Once you open your heart, those other things will take care of themselves." (pp. 78-79)

Brian Weiss and Amy Weiss (2012). Miracles Happen: The Transformational Healing Power of Past Life Memories. 

Evolution of a soul is not a single, linear path. It includes many lessons to learn. For love or divine wisdom has many aspects, and there are numbers of methods of acquisition. Kindness, compassion, and empathy are only part of the wisdom. There are other qualities, such as patience, generosity, courage, or perseverance, to name but a few, as well.