Such holidays in the sun dont come without sacrifices"

Some people spend their whole lives trying to achieve something, either for themselves or on someone elses behalf, or both. A cycle gets created where each achievement must be surpassed by an even greater achievement. These achievements and their greatness is relative, and differs from person to person. But is achievement in modern day society, and the cycle it involves, sustainable? Economics states that achievement of ones goals is inadequate as it does not include the rest of society as a whole, but paradoxically, if society as a whole is not being benefited by your achievements, then can these 'achievements' really be achievements? How can you achieve something for yourself if you have to also include society in your achievement. Taking into account that in society there are others that also want to achieve something, and of course the chances are, that ones achievement is anothers failure. In which case is it possible to achieve anything at all, in real terms, if everything you achieve is followed someone elses failure, and if someone elses failure is also borne by society, how can we hope to justify achievement without admitting to its roots in the selfishness that comes with the human psyche.