Can lust, especially sexual lust for an unmarried person, hinder an individual from progressing in various aspects of life, or can it be a motive for excellence, and would masturbation in this case be forbidden?

A Muslim should make the pleasure of his Creator his utmost concern. Progress and development are commendable and desirable, but they are a means to the worship of Allah, not an end in themselves. Masturbation is forbidden and has health and psychological harms. It affects faith, and faith increases with obedience and decreases with disobedience. Rewarding oneself with masturbation upon achievement is a deception from Iblis, for blessings endure with gratitude.