Sorry if I chuck this in too early but years back, I realised that I was totally disillusioned with the whole "career" thing. I had what you could say was a successful regional sales role, and it hit me one night - after a young lady asked me what I did for work - not my name, not my interests, not what kind of a man I was. What I did for work.
I think I spent the next few days irritated by it, then realised that we define ourselves primarily by what we do. Our social status, our income, the car we drive, where we live, the clothes we wear etc etc etc.
Rubbish to it all I say. I started then to think more about who I was, than what I was.
Quit my career, started tiling, now I like to think at least I spend more time concentrating on what I can do for those around me, especially my family, because money in the bank and a nice car is not as important as time with those we love and job satisfaction.
If my kids are happy, it doesn't matter what work they do.
I am teaching them that happiness is not dependent on what you do for work.