Scott Hanselman has a great article on success and the measurement of it.  Without a doubt, the best part of the post is this:

"I'm definitely not an authority figure on software development. I'll go so far as to put words in the mouth of Martin Fowler (we'll see if he comments), but from my interactions with him, I'd venture to say he wouldn't consider himself an authority either. He's a traveler on the path, as are we. He thinks, shares, asks good questions and starts interesting conversations. What more could one ask from a member of the community?"

I couldn't agree more.  Never forget that in all things we are just a "traveler on the path" and everyone has something to contribute...well almost everyone.  I mean really stupid people probably wouldn't I guess but how do you define "stupid"?  Er...anyway you get the point :)

http://www.hanselman.com/blog/ProfessionalismProgrammingAndPunditryAndSuccessAsAMetric.aspx