How to avoid becoming a "successful" academic?

This is seriously my question of the day. Is it possible? Is it possible to avoid becoming a successful academic and still enjoy my work, my research, and my life?

My question comes from a feeling of pity, when talking to other "successful" academics. In the age of 50-60, will I really care about how many publications I have, will I care about in which order the authors are, and will I care about whether people cite my work enough? If I regard my work as very important, very worthwhile to be recognized, maybe. But it is not that my work is not important, that I do not care about those things even now, it is my work is just my vehicle to experience the world. They probably should be cited more than they are now, but why should I care if they already fulfilled their obligations when they are finished? Do the world lose anything by missing it? Maybe. But it is out of my control.

I want to avoid becoming a "successful" academic, a fellow in any recognized association, and avoid getting a reputation that I do not want. It is not easy, it is not easier than becoming one, it seems to me, unfortunately.

I hope it is possible and I hope there is a sustainable model for it.