As I look back at my days as an individual contributor (IC), I cannot avoid thinking about how my work life was more straightforward then.
Pick a story, headset on, get in the flow, test, get signoff. Rinse, wash, repeat. When things were complex, or I did not know how to solve a challenge, I would research, try a thousand things, go to forums, ask for advice, and it was only a matter of time and dedication until I hit the solution.
When I became a manager, my success was now reflected in the performance of my team members. It is a challenging transition for any IC and an exciting opportunity for those who find pleasure in helping others grow.