I didn’t come from a finance family, didn’t go to a target school, and didn’t have a single referral when I broke into the industry. Every step has felt like pushing uphill. I watch others glide through doors that I had to pry open with both hands. I’m proud of how far I’ve come, but I’d be lying if I said it didn’t wear me down. How do you stay motivated when the ladder wasn’t built for you?

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Keep climbing… I share a similar background story… I had to fight for the respect of my target client… my firm was starting to get a little annoyed with the amount of entertainment money I requested for this one guy… but I eventually closed him… and that one client opened so many doors for me from referrals and invitations to events that now my book is filled with folks like him… it gets harder before it gets easier, but then it’s easy… oh, and the money chase doesn’t hurt… it’s something that those that grew up with wealth will never understand…

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I think the best way to stay motivated is honestly to be proud of how far you’ve already come and then push for more! You know you’ve made it this far, why not further

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That is the entirety of life. Some people have and will always have it much easier. That is just the hand you are dealt.

I think most people are “pushing uphill” though. There will always be the people who have it easier and I don’t think it is their fault that they have a certain background and as a result have a head start and relationships they can leverage. That said I don’t think they are the minority unless you work in a certain kind of firm. I personally don’t really care about what anyone else is doing to get ahead. I mind my business, perform as best as I can and leverage my experiences to secure other opportunities when one stops working for me.

*majority

I also have had to pave my own path in this industry. It took constantly proving value and countering people’s judgement. Seeing the red carpet laid out for other junior team members, especially intern -> grad programs, and the chip on my shoulder knowing I made it without help and with structural disadvantages is my motivator.

I think having a challenging route makes it all the more worth while. I don’t think anything matches actually being able to say you did it on your own.

I think you answered your own question.
You stay motivated because you’ve proven that even if this doesn’t come natural to you that you didn’t have a history in the industry that you’re still moving forward. What could be better motivation than the historical account of your perseverance! Be proud of what you’ve done, and keep that chip on your shoulder, and keep prying those doors open!

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