How can I motivate myself better for work? I am currently in academia, with a boss who is very laissez-faire. I am driven, but I want to achieve more.

I don't feel so insecure, so I don't derive all my self-value from work, and don't require the "love" or "fame" by approval of my boss or others that much. What seems to work is the "gun to my head", i.e. knowing I need to present my work to someone I value. Or working for someone who I feel close to. Any other strategies worked for you?

like
Posting as :
works at
You are currently posting as works at

Get out of academia. It's the culture that slowly breaks you down. I recently left and find myself way less stressed despite having to learn a completely new skill set. If you're ambitious, you need to be challenged and have a team that's feels the same way.

Not to mention, you're most likely severely underpaid.

like

Think of the people who love you and/or depend on you. Think of making them happy, proud of you and keeping them housed and fed.

like

Picturing the future consequences of my good work somehow doesn't work, since it's pretty abstract for me. Or same also for the consequences of bad work.

Ok one way that seems to work is if I try to feel unloved or like having no good social life. And that I am just appreciated if I do good work. Very negative motivation, but seems to work for me somehow..

Related Posts

Same background/experience/qualifications. One get hired as an SM the other as a specialist Leader, same base?

like

Open positions : Aws Data Engineer ( 2 - 10 yrs ) , Aws Data Architect (10 - 15 yrs)
Skills : Aws, Big Data, Java/Python Location:Across India
============
Open positions : Azure Data Architect (10 - 15 yrs)
Skills : Azure, Big Data, Java/Python Location:Across India
==≈=============
Open positions : Azure Data Engineer
Experience: 4 - 8 yrs
Skills : Azure, Microservies, Java Location:Across India
Please DM me your updated resume if interested and skill set matches.
===========

like

Any tips on landing a full-time teaching job in middle school math? My applications are largely being ignored by hiring districts. I live in central CT.

like

Just wanted to understand how much do you guys spend on clothing on a monthly/yearly basis.

like

Going to Burgandy in a few weeks. Any tips on wineries to check out?

like

Any one here traveled back from India on a greencard? What to expect at immigration? Thanks

like

"Enoch walked with God…" -- Genesis 5:24

"The true test of a person’s spiritual life and character is not what he does in the extraordinary moments of life, but what he does during the ordinary times when there is nothing tremendous or exciting happening." -Oswald Chambers

upliftinglike

That moment when your "smart" plan to boost your hours this month by working the Labor Day weekend (thus turning down all the fun plans your friends made) becomes sitting on your hands & feeling dumb because all the partners are too busy to delegate anything. The worst kind of "off" day is one you planned to /wanted to work, but there's no billable work...

likefunny

Which machine learning conferences are FAANG companies recruiting at ?

likefunny

Does that super conservative guy from KPMG have any comment on Trump's "interview" with Fox and Friends? I just want to know how they ratioanlize Mr. Stable Genius

like

Any AAs at LPL Financial? Interviewing there and want to get a sense for the company and how it really is.

like
likefunny

How do people have time to workout during the week? I work so many hours.

like

guys im looking for MidMarket M&A associate referrals. I graduate from my MBA in April 23’. Please DM /Connect would be happy to share details or arrange coffee chats .

like

Is buying a second hand two wheeler good idea in bangalore?
Where I can buy good scooty

like

Opportunity for person with Java backend fullstack experience of 3 or more years. DM me if interested

like

Bose QC35 or Bowers and Wilkins P7 Wireless? I got a gift card this year and trying to buy solid headphones for train, traveling, etc. I really like them both.

like

Have yall ever been in a situation where you were in someone's wedding, but they weren't in yours? Or vice versa. Just wondering how that affected your friendship with that person

like

Hello,

Anyone livin near OMR, Chennai interested in playing roof cricket

Longing to play but no proper guys for company

If anyone here come let's play

like

Here for the summer and looking to meet people. Does anyone know of any great volunteer opps in Boulder?

like

Additional Posts in Women In Consulting

Devastated...breaking up w SA after 4 years together right as I thought we were planning for marriage..hate the monster dating game

Just had a man follow me into sbux and try to chat me up while I ordered. Dude. I am carrying a suitcase and trying to catch up on my emails. Go away.

likefunny

Any self help books for women who don’t have good relationships (and possibly are depressed and jaded)? Maybe something for courage to lead a life without depending on others

like

I did what I thought was an informal info chat with a team about an opening. The team lead( Sr. Dir) called my VP who ended up calling me wondering what was happening. Why would the team lead do that? Is there benefit in asking him? Or is this a sign of his working style and what I consider low EQ.

like

Anyone here ever stop blonde highlighting their dark blonde/light brown hair and go back to natural color? Tired of blonde turning brassy and want to go to a more natural color. Transition tips?

like

I’m pretty reserved and quiet. I do good 1-on-1, but I tend to listen more than talk. Has anyone had success in opening up more or becoming outgoing?

like

Does anyone do adult dance as a workout? Like ballet, or take other types of dance classes? How do you find it? As a kid, certain sports have a kind of intense environment, but I’m curious if adults feel this way if they take classes for things like dance.

like

In need of some positivity…what’s one thing you’re looking forward to?

like

How do you deal with overbearing mother? Mine can’t come to terms with the fact that I have my own life, travel, live far from home, etc. and always compares me to her friends whose kids call daily...

like

From 22-27 I dated a guy who worked all the time with the hope we would get married. Lots of time spent alone since he was never around on trips and so called vacations. Recently, I broke up with him and just am really feeling like I wasted my twenties. I saw two girls walking down the street yesterday with pink balloons that spelled “23”... what I would give to have not wasted my time with this guy. Has anyone ever gone through this?

likehelpful

Any book recommendations for managing post grad depression? I am really upset seeing myself losing friends and then having a hard time navigating full time working life during a global pandemic. Or any advice is appreciated!

like

Is it me or does jcrew and madewell running big now?

like

What’s a good way to get your personal data scrubbed off the internet?

like

How do you know if your emotions are real or they’re just hormonal symptoms? I’ve never really experienced pms much but I’ve been really irrationally emotional lately. Like crying

like

Just started Swimlabs swim classes for my kids. How many classes will my 5 year olds need before they can swim? Is this something I have to do for years?

like

If you friend or SO had a bad day (eg difficulties at work), what would you do to cheer him up remotely?

like

A friend of mine was broken up with right as I was getting in a relationship. She’s very down so when we hang out, I typically don’t bring him up/share details the way I normally would. She’s only met him at 3 group events over 2 months & she’s been very accusatory of him if we show up late for any reason. It feels like she’s projecting all of her negative feelings onto him. I don’t want to walk away from a friendship, but it seems like she just wants me to be single again. Any advice?

like

Accidentally matched on Hinge and going on a date with a coworker (I'm at B4 so higher chances). Set the expectation that we shouldn't try for anything unless there are major sparks. Is this a good idea?

like

How often are you ladies, living with their SO, having sex in the current situation? Pre COVID for me it was 3-4x a week but now he doesn’t seem to be into it. Spends his day working & nights gaming😭

like

When the best part of your workday was your OBGYN appointment.... you know it’s been a rough one.

likefunny

New to Fishbowl?

Download the Fishbowl app to
unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.
That was just a preview…
Sign Up to see all discussions
  • Discover what it’s like to work at companies from real professionals
  • Get candid advice from people in your field in a safe space
  • Chat and network with other professionals in your field
Sign up in seconds to unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.

Already a user?
Login here

Share

Embed this post

Copy and paste embed code on your site

Preview

Download the
Fishbowl app

See what’s happening in your industry
from the palm of your hand.

A phone with Fishbowl app

Send download link to your phone

OR

Scan your QR code to download
Fishbowl app on your mobile

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Messaging rates may apply

Download app

Sign up for free to view this conversation on Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

Already have an account? Log in

Sign up for free to continue using Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use(New) and Privacy Policy(New)
Messaging rates may apply

Already have an account? Log in

For account settings, visit Fishbowl on Desktop Browser or

General

Legal