I took a management path at first, thinking it was a natural progression upon obtaining over a decade and a half of experience and being enouraged by my peers over the years. I was never unhappier. I gave it everything I could. My team loved me and I shielded them from mountains of pain and frustration. I got sick from stress and mildly depressed from lack of a technically creative outlet. It took me over a year to recover physically and now I am fully back in the game developing as a technical lead. I still manage, obviously, but within a different context.

From my standpoint, I do not regret anything. I learned from these experiences because I love to explore and am not afraid to fail along the way.

I see so many that seek advice when they have the power to take action themselves. So much time wasted really.