I was watching a documentary on prodigy musicians one time. The person presenting the show was a prodigy himself and he asked some interesting questions. One

I was watching a documentary on prodigy musicians one time. The person presenting the show was a prodigy himself and he asked some interesting questions. One was, "How much did you practice when you were young?" and the answer would invariably be 12-13 hours a day. He then asked, "Do you regret not spending that time doing other things?" The answer was also invariably "No". The prodigies in the documentary explained that the time when they were practicing all day was exciting and fun. They looked back on that time with nostalgia because after they got older they neither had the time nor the stamina to practice like that again. "Nobody ever died wishing that they had spent more time in the office" is a popular quote, but I think it is false. I personally know of several people who after they were diagnosed with terminal diseases chose to spend their remaining time working as much as possible. The key to what you are saying is the "just to make someone else rich". I think if you are looking at it as some kind of equation where "I have to do X in order to get Y", often you lose out because it turns out that Y was not worth it after all (especially if you are trading your life for money). However, if you are looking at it as "I can't believe I get to do this all day long!", then I don't think you will regret it. This is not to say that those who prefer a "work-life balance" existence over "work is inseparable from life" existence are much different. It's just that you need to spend your time and energy doing what you love -- getting that balance right. Both groups suffer if they divert their attention away from what is important to them.