I've been lucky enough to almost always have jobs that I enjoy with people that I like. There was only one time that I had a job I hated with a boss that I couldn't stand, and I was so miserable. Luckily that only lasted a few months though.
I've also always seen the point of going to work. I had my first part time job when I was 13, it was only £25 a week for a full 9-5 week, but that meant I was able to go away for a week's camping holiday that my parents couldnt have afforded to send me on otherwise. My parents worked really hard to look after me and my brother and lost their jobs a few times, so I suppose I've always appreciated the value of a job.
When I left uni I decided to write a novel so I took 6 months out to do that, but I treated it like work - getting up early, writing all day, then stopping at the end of a normal working day. After that though I was keen to get a job. I don't really like the feeling of being unemployed - having to fill in loads of forms, queue up in jobcentres, have to go for interviews and sign on every 2 weeks, not being able to get the house you want to live in because they don't take people on benefits, etc. I much prefer going to work than having to go through all that, and all for a tiny amount of money each week.
I am pretty ambitious really and if I want to do something then I go for it. So I've tried to get jobs that reflect my interests and values. Even though my work now is sometimes frustrating and stressful, there is enough challenge, interest and satisfaction to keep me happy.