I know eaxactly what you mean.  My friends remark at my success.  Not the money so much but the achievement.  The say I must be ecstatic and proud.  I always say maybe and it shocks them.

I question all the time if the sacrifices are/were worth it or if they were right choices for me.  I am not sure. There is an intangible trait that I believe all ivory tower economists dont understand because they probably dont have it themselves.  It's the fire that ignites a corporate culture and is the basis for entrepreneurial leadership.

Its PASSION and CONVICTION.  Those traits might come from different things for different people but I believe all the most successful entrepreneurs have it.  However it can be fragile and is exhaustible.  It has to be nurtured and fed.  The Trudeau government with their divisive tactics are literally playing with that fire.  Trust is important in any relationship and they have destroyed that.