Great post - thanks for the advice. Happy to have summoned you here if even for a second, haha.
It's obviously a tough issue and probably something that can only be gleaned in hindsight. I've always been a nose to the grindstone kind of guy -- well, except for the fact I'm posting here during work hours, whoops. What has tended to make me happy is achievement in some way -- professional, financial, academic, etc etc. In a non-egotistical way (if possible), what keeps me going a bit is the idea that I'm great at what I do and I expect that to be rewarded with more money, a new title, whatever. And the perks that come with that - a cool vacation every year, some nice meals out, ad infinitum. I'm young and want to stay hopeful that I'm awesome and can climb for as long as possible. That's the current #grindset.
That said, do want to say that I 1000% agree with the heart of your message. Would love to make my money or my mark quickly -- and I'm lucky enough to have a good start -- and check out. Having and building a strong family is ultimately the #1 priority for me - I'd even check out of the rat race at that point if it seemed things were set. I won't care about how fast I got promoted from A to B to C in 30 years... probably won't even care in 5.