I agree that you should do a (insert career specialty here) specialty that you (think you'll) enjoy. But, how long will you enjoy a miserable lifestyle? Is the practice of 'that specialty which brings you joy' going to be *enough joy* to off-set the absence of life outside of work? Like seeing your kids play little league. Being there at your daughter's dance recital. Taking your kids to a puppet show in the middle of the week at the local library. Sleeping in late on Sunday morning, then going out to brunch, spur-of-the-moment with your wonderful family. Drinking until you're tipsy, and then having great sex with your spouse. Just having time for creative flow of energy, and silence to obtain inner peace!! These things may not be possible if you only get one day off a week...and you have a ton of basic life stuff to attend to. For the rest of your life...imagine 'not having enough time.'
Who runs your household? Grandma or mother-in-law? That may be better than a nanny, but it's still not ideal. A mom who's in her 30s - 40s is a lot more attentive, active, and better able to deal with toddlers/tweens than a grandma. Besides, Grandma has raised her kids...and now it's time for her to be a *Grandma.* It's one thing for Grandparents to be intricately involved, and to hire a nanny for supplemental support as needed. But, if they're raising your kids instead of you...you'll have to consider the consequences of that (for both you, your family, and your children).
Would you rather pay someone to be the Mommy/Daddy while you're the (career specialty person)...or would you rather be home doing the mommy/daddy thing yourself? Would you rather have other kid's fathers who have time to coach flag-football on Saturday mornings teach your son how to throw a football, or otherwise be present as the male figure in your son's life....while you're at work being the 'greatest career person ever?' It's no wonder that so many old men end up saying "Rosebud" as they lay dying, alone, on their deathbed.
You'll need to nurture your marriage, or it won't last. People (including spouses) will only tolerate so much. Even if you think your wife is "happy staying at home"...no one gets married to be alone.
You need to be present while your kids are kids. In 12-15 years, they won't need so much of your time...and a large part of your influence over them (your parental guidance) is over.
It's easy to get an ego...which is almost a requirement if you really want to survive the process of training in business (any business) . If you're to compete, and not become an emotional wreck. This translates to the rest of your life....and your personal relationships will become antagonistic. At times, the only thing in your life going as planned is...work. So you hold on to that. But, so, who are you really trying to impress? Other professionals? Your partner? Yourself? And that ego, that desire for respect and accolades, keeps 'em coming..even if it's not the right career choice.
Criteria used to decide:
*overall* figure out what's really important to you...and find a way to make those things fit together. This may mean choosing "your second favorite specialty" instead of your dream specialty...if you want a *dream life* overall!!
Work doesn't define you. You'll be disappointed if you don't understand, and clarify, this distinction. Balance doesn't just happen...you have to make informed decisions in order to achieve it.
