This. I've learned that I can't optimize for income, because typically it means I'll be doing work I dislike, or working for a company I dislike. For me, there is no amount of money that can balance that out. I'll prefer a position that pays a bit less but that I enjoy over one that pays excellently every time. To do otherwise ensures I'll have a miserable life.

Others can and do differ, of course. We all optimize for what's important to us.