You have put the whole thing very well, there is nothing in your posting that I could even slightly disagree with. Just one thing missing - have fun! if it becomes a bore, then give up and do something else, your customers deserve nothing less.
Thanks to you and smeusr for your kind words. Fortunately I still *like* computers and networks and enjoy my job and the people whom I serve ... the vast majority of the time. It's a challenging and fun career and absolutely adds value to the world. "Here I come to save the day!"