I felt unfulfilled back in 2009/2010, thought I was burned out, and left tech for a 9-year period (2011-2019) to own and operate a retail sporting goods business (bikes, running shoes, and swim gear). Now THAT was a grind.

After I came back to tech, I guess I have a renewed perspective or something. The big shift for me is that I'm more internally motivated than most people seem to be. The business I work for will have its ups and downs, but I'm able to be self-actualized by doing good work for good work's sake.

And I'm blessed to be in a role that, I think, is a really good fit for my skills and experience. I still have entrepreneurial fantasies from time to time, but I very, very much enjoy the work that I'm doing and am very grateful for that peace of mind.