Interesting, would it be possible to combine those two issues by having a really cool long-term success that you can subsequently achieve numerous little things to get to?
Yeah, that would be somewhat of a solution. However, I am also the stereotypical person in his early twenties with no direction. The current vague desire that I'm meandering towards is being a Lecturer. I'm currently apply for a Masters which would set me in that direction. I guess higher education is a bit like your suggestion, with the individual modules being the little goals and the actual degree being the long-term success. Though only a year long one in the case of Masters, unless I then go on to PHD level, which is common for lecturers.
To be honest with you that sounds like a pretty big deal to me :D Getting a graduate degree is a pretty important step, and it can range in intense cost/demand to achieve. Good luck with it all friend, I'll be waiting for your name on the headline of TED.