The same work some do for 5 years and make it in life, other may do it for over 20 years does not guarantee success infact such a fellow may still feed from hand to mouth. Can we conclude that such are individual destiny?
When you say work; are you referring to working for someone as an employee? If that is the case, there are data out there in profusion which prove that no matter the number of years put in working for someone in most cases such individuals ends up living from hand to mouth. In another hand, if you check the list of the world riches people none work for someone, they are all entrepreneurs.
If you want to be wealthy and retire early in life, work for yourself. Be an investor. Invest in Bitcoin today. Its smart work that makes rich not hard work.
Just my thoughts.