What's the best decision you made early in your career?

Stick to the not-for-profit sector. I spend 2y in industry at the peak of the 80s dotcom boom and I was a poor fit. A life in university research before and after that, and industry self regulation and standards development ever since was just more fun, for a lower renumeration outcome.

Those not-really-work conversations people have at work? Thats my job

Done me proud for 43 years. I'm out in a month, going solo and living off my retirement which is not insanely big, but healthy.

As Louis Prima said: "Enjoy yourself, it's later than you think" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aCKZMdLJjAU

Dropping out in the last year of a 4 year Physics degree to study Computer Science, because that was even more engaging. After that just following interesting, "niche" work; not chasing the dollar. Retired now and programming microcontrollers for fun.