This anxiety takes many forms. It's all based on our ego. I get pangs of FOMA, my wife can't stand to be a sucker. It's all from looking outside yourself. That's important information but not at the expense of losing track of who you are.

I got promoted to Vice President at a company I worked for. The title was great for my ego and after learning from a few nearly catastrophic mistakes, I became reasonably good. Being competent and having that title felt fantastic but I wasn't particularly happy with the work. Be careful what you wish for.

I changed careers and had to start over nearly at the bottom. But I love my work and recently got my second promotion after seven years. I can live with this slow pace because I genuinely love what I do now.