[gamechangr]

I'm going to guess that the money has nothing to do with it.

You use $ as a way of keeping score and when you hear of others making more, you feel like you failed.

Bad news - no amount of money will fix that.

Good news - you can change it today with a real healthy and honest talk with yourself (and good friends who know you) to find out how you should define success.

Put it in your own terms. For me: I found much more happiness when I made a little less but increased my autonomy. It was huge for me. Like Night and day difference in my happiness.

Hope that helps

[banterfoil]

What do you mean by "increased autonomy"? Could you give some examples of what that looks like? Thanks

[gamechangr]

Being assigned a certain amount of work with a deadline, instead of being expected to clock in 9-5pm.

Being allowed to work whenever (or where ever) is convenient.

Being able to chose the projects you do and pass on some (not all - but for God's sake - some) that are less interesting.

Being able to decide who you work with (no arrogant and demanding know it alls).