Right on, tek.
I've just made a move to get the balance right. Was being paid very well as an ex-pat to work overseas. The environment was that 10% of the staff did 90% of the work. I was doing 6am to 7pm a lot, fighting the same issues daily and not happy. I still got out to shred a bit, but the work stress was killer and career prospects looked like I'd only end up with less free time and more stress, along with the potential of being shipped to bumfuck nowhere.
So I moved. Salary is much less but not in any way terrible. Hours are good (7-4:30) but plenty flexible so if I want to do 6-3 and shred after work it's not a problem. The work is a little less structured and planned but more rewarding and career prospects are good. If I have to take a call at night or on the weekend I don't mind because I know it's important and the people I need to deal with are working their asses off.
When I can sit in the mountains drinking a beer & watching the sunset after a day splitboarding, I'm pretty fuckin stoked on my decision. Fuck the money, making less has made me much happier.
