As though you've somehow failed by succeeding. By finishing what you set out to do before actually dying.
Want to know what success really looks like? Watch this video of Fred Pattachia retiring from professional surfing mid-season, mid-contest, mid-heat, after scoring a perfect 10 point ride and knowing that he'd accomplished everything he wanted from the sport. He just high fived the other guy in the water and caught a wave in to the beach with 10 minutes left in the heat (that he still technically won):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WqzNpXcCJnc
For me, that's way more inspirational than what Jessica is talking about in the article. A guy in his 30s, recognizing that he just completed his "Life's Work", and deciding on the spot to move on to the next thing.