Really great insights, badge worthy, I agree, there's not really anything to refute. Thanks for this post, kleinbl00. The hardest thing for me is that I'm a "yes man", especially in my professional life. The way I see it, we have two options: 1) You can slack or fuck up, and earn yourself a corresponding reputation or 2) Perform well and become a go-to guy. I've chosen the latter, and suffer accordingly, but have accrued a wide range of experience that I wouldn't trade for more sleep or a more-involved social life. I'm lucky to have a job that I typically enjoy, and regard as "important". Still need to get out (headed for a glass ceiling with only a B.S). I'm on track for grad school in the fall of 2015, and I'm fully expecting to sacrifice my late twenties for a PhD. "Wage slavery" still aptly defines 99%+ of America, for sure. Happy trails, brutha, and thanks again for your time!
Nothing wrong with being a "yes man" if by "yes man" you mean someone who does what they are told and goes out of their way to help others. I don't want to preach selfishness, I want to preach self-sufficiency - in that it's your life, and if it isn't making you happy you need to evaluate if it's helping other people as much as it's hurting you. It sounds like you're already finding limits in what you're doing professionally. Time to find your limits in what you're doing personally. Believe in yourself yadda yadda yadda but also recognize that you gotta look out for you because nobody else is (unless you're married or in a close relationship with someone - the best thing about a real relationship like that is you support each others' dreams). It's gonna work out, man. Step one is waking up and going "something's not quite right." That realization is halfway to remedy. Good luck.