I suppose I’m looking at it from the perspective of someone who already thoroughly enjoys what he does and finds it new and challenging every day. You don’t need to constantly change jobs to have this though. Many jobs are largely what you make of them. If you’re going in and just punching the clock and doing the bare minimum then sure, it’s like you say, mind numbing. However, if you go in and constantly find new problems to tackle and ways to change and improve your role then why can’t it be fulfilling within the confines of a normal work day?

I’m also unusual because I spend less time at work vs home. I’m significantly out numbered amongst other workers in the US but when you travel abroad you realize many other places take a similar attitude. Employment is a means to an end. There’s no reason to accept that work is where you spend most of your time. Reframe your mindset and find a lifestyle where work does not define you and how you spend your time.

> Many jobs are largely what you make of them

Most jobs don't allow you that freedom, nor do I think they have an obligation to.

Lots of people are academics, not in profession, but in spirit. Why would an academic go do physics for a fraction of the paycheck than they would doing analytics for a bank or trading firm? Because they can't not. That's not to say that their work is more important than family, but it's more than a means to an end. It's the work of their life.

From that perspective, if someone is not able to extract that level of fulfillment from whatever the situation is at their day job, then assuming they are just punching in the clock, or telling them to reframe their mindset, is a bit preachy IMO.

It didn’t come off as preachy to me. bronco21016 makes an excellent point (not made often) that you don’t need to spend all your waking hours focused on making your company successful in order to have a job which you find fulfilling and pays well.

On the other hand many of Einstein's greatest ideas, discoveries, and publications came while working at a patent office as a low level inspector because in spite of years of effort, he couldn't find any academic position that would have him. That did change quite rapidly afterwards however, but it's certainly a great example of somebody making of his life and work what he wanted to make of it.

Who do you think is better/brighter/more meaningful impact on modern civilization: Einstein or Tesla?

I find meaning in having enough resources that my partner and kids are happy, regardless of the challenge or enjoyment of the work I do.

It would be selfish (and borderline irresponsible) for me to prioritize excitement and self-actualization at work over a comfortable, stable life for my family. That’s what holidays and hobbies are for.

I think it's fine to have a bit of selfishness in your life. I'm not saying that you need to make very irresponsible decisions, but if all your decisions are made based on what others need, you end up living for others.

Agree. I dislike adopting a braindead attitude to any activity because my experience is that it eventually spreads out to other activities that I find boring.

I like attempting new challenges. The problem is that I often don't get to use the new skills gained while attempting those challenges. That's why I switch.