For me, the process was realizing that my desire to have my own business, and my dislike of an ordinary job, were based on many different underlying motivations, some of which, on closer analysis, I consciously chose to reject.

I had always wanted and expected to achieve great things. I think this is a natural and healthy desire. But when I looked back on the last 10 years I realized I wanted to be a political figure (when I was left wing) then a famous scientist, then a famous scientist in another field, etc. The only common thread was the desire to be great and to have a big (positive) impact on the world.

To let go of this required me to realize that a small probability of having a big impact on the world was not better than the certainty of having a small impact. Once I was open to making a small impact, it became very easy to see the value in my work, and to focus on enjoying the fortunate position of having an easy job that paid well.