But, two things happened - I didn't enjoy it and then I got made redundant.
So, it sounds like being made redundant was a good and timely thing, right? Yes, it was, and with a good redundancy package, it gave me time to think about my options.
On the one hand, I felt a great sense of release, but I then found myself feeling angry at the way I'd been treated, and felt that on the whole, I'd been used and abused in the six months leading up to the redundancy.
Out went all the corporate clothes, and even driving past the building was difficult. I wasn't even sure what all the emotions were about, but somewhere in there was the knowledge that all that ladder climbing that I'd striven for had given me a sense of achievement but did not make me happy.
Having done years of personal development since, I can see where part of the problem arose. One of my top values is freedom, yet I'd adopted a coporate persona that felt like a straitjacket. Since then, I've been self-employed, which of course has brought its own problems, but generally feels much better.
So, if you have a sneaking suspicion that your ladder might be up against the wrong wall, have a look at your values. What's really important to you about what you do? See if you can list 5 things.
Next, look at what you're currently doing and ask yourself how well these values are being met. For example, if one of your values is recognition, and you're working in a culture where achievements aren't acknowledged, or your boss claims credit for your ideas, it could make you feel angry and frustrated.
Knowing why you do feel that way may not make the situation better, but at least you will know why it matters. Values do matter and even if you try and dismiss these feelings, they will keep coming back until you do something about it.
It doesn't necessarily mean leaving your job, but maybe you could try making some changes.
Now there's an idea for another article!
Pam Stokes is a Business & Personal Development Coach. Besides coaching, she provides interactive online programmes for busy people, supervises newly qualified and trainee coaches, runs workshops in stress management and a Diploma Course in NLP. Free downloads http://www.pamstokesassociates.co.uk