So how are things going with your career choice? I take it from the big investment in tools that you're enjoying what you're doing?
I had to drive to Montreal to get the thing. Not much supply or demand in that kind of implement. Honestly, it's as mint as used can be mint. There's not even a scratch on it - I wonder if it's been used at all. If I didn't know I bought it used, I'd think I bought it new. 450$ for that is a steal of a deal. The only thing "wrong" with it is that the guy company's logo is printed on the pouch, but I'll just cover it up with a patch from mine
So now I don't have to carry a multimeter and a loop calibrator with me - this thing does both.
For once I'm finally happy with how my life is going. I feel valued at work, I have fun, and I feel my job matters. There's a big dairy factory running some of my shit and depending on things I physically installed. The money is a nice plus. The only thing I'm not satisfied with is that I want to travel for work, but that'll come when I'm out of school, and we're starting to get bigger contracts from farther too.
I have this thing where, no matter what I accomplish, I can never be certain I deserved it. Most of the time it feels like I was simply at the right place at the right time. I keep challenging myself and set progressively higher goals for myself, while almost never failing, but this feeling just won't go away. I don't even know why I have this compulsive need to be the best, I just do. It's some form of insecurity that I just can't seem to break free of. I need to keep proving to myself that I've got what it takes, except I'm never satisfied with the proof. It never stops, either.
I used to be like this too. Then I suffered through what I considered my ultimate failure and pretty much became a hikikomori for 2 years. It tore me apart as a person and I had to pick myself up bit by bit, piece by piece. I mellowed out considerably, though sometimes it's hard not to go back to the old habit of putting way too much pressure on myself to succeed and be the best there ever was. I used to think "winning is fun and losing sucks and that's all there is to anything". Not so. It's more fun to take your time and wander around. The thing with trying to be the best at everything is that you shy away from things you think you're not good at.
I can't say I recommend the method I used to get there but it's been much better for my mental health.
As for teamwork, here's a Marcus Aurelius quote on point : "It’s silly to try to escape other people’s faults. They are inescapable. Just try to escape your own."
And this one too : "Just that you do the right thing. The rest doesn’t matter."
In fact, just read the whole Meditations. Hope it helps.