I think you should work on your imagination, and also on your definition of "greatness."

I built my company and have run my company for 27+ years with zero debt. I sleep great and never have to worrry that my company will fold when something like the .com bubble bursts, the 2008 meltdown, or the pandemic occur that greatly affect my business but over which I have no control.

Refusing debt has meant I can choose to NOT take jobs I don't want. It has meant being able to choose sustainability over constant growth. It has meant being able to have a private life. I think it that been pretty great. I'm not heading towards retirement with love handles, clogged arteries and a fear of losing my foriegn subsidiaries to authoritarian governments.