Your point about comp is really important. In roles where I felt I was not paid enough, and the pay was not life changing to begin with, I definitely valued my work/life balance more. In roles where significant changes in quality of life came from the job or comp, I pushed myself harder if it materially improved my outcomes.
That said, if your goals are financial independence, everyone needs to do a real reality check as to whether their current job (or even career path if you are junior) will ever let you reach that with your target lifestyle. I know people who love what they do, but the reality is I can't see how they could ever retire with what they earn even with a relatively frugal lifestyle.
On the flip side, I have an ibanker relative who would be on track for financial independence in his early thirties if only he didn't live an ibanker lifestyle.
That said, if your goals are financial independence, everyone needs to do a real reality check as to whether their current job (or even career path if you are junior) will ever let you reach that with your target lifestyle. I know people who love what they do, but the reality is I can't see how they could ever retire with what they earn even with a relatively frugal lifestyle.
On the flip side, I have an ibanker relative who would be on track for financial independence in his early thirties if only he didn't live an ibanker lifestyle.