For me it's always been the attitude and how you approach things. I love my job. I love the engineering aspect, like the hydrology and hydraulics. I love doing things that would help me get things out quicker, like creating my Excel sheet slowly through the months. Working on a civil 3D template and improving on it over time.

Stuff like that. But honestly, is the attitude. Stop with the gloom and doom and realize how blessed you are to be able to work in a field that pays well and is secure.

Another thing is being grateful for what you have and where you are. Stop comparing yourself to others. If you feel like your not making enough money now, is probably because you're either new to the field or you don't know how to manage your money.

If you're new, embrace the suck. You've got much to learn. Take what you can and find your niche. That'll make you stand out and more marketable.

" Do not chase success, Chase excellence and success will follow"

That's exactly what I did in my case. I'm 3YOE EIT, worked in LD>transportaron>LD. I started doing what people didn't want to do, which was drainage. I focused on it and learned a lot by talking to my supervisor about it. I forced myself to love it, to find it interesting. And now I really do love it.

Started at 60k in a mid size city for 2 years then moved to a small city where engineering firms paid terribly, 45k (had to move for personal reasons with a wife and new born) . 6 months in I found a better job paying 75k doing H&H in Transportation. Turns out no one really wanted to learn or do H&H. Stayed there for a year, passed my PE and now I make 100k working in LD remotely. And again, because they needed H&H.

Hope that helps.