The funny thing is, as a person falling in a similar camp, I 100% endorse the views of nouseforaname123.nouseforaname123 wrote:Enduring misery for an end-result and being miserable are two different things, right?smallfirmassociate wrote:Being unable to convince yourself to be happy when you're in an unhappy situation doesn't have to rise to the level of an "existential crisis" or however else one would label something so it could be easily dismissed. I actually find it less healthy when a person rationalizes being miserable in order to convince himself to be happy.
You tried to dismiss my opinion earlier as that of an inexperienced law student; it's a little late to play the "don't be dismissive of other's opinions" card.
My serious answer to you is that I don't think of happiness while at work. I work because I have young children and a spouse to take care of. Most of the time, I do what I have to do, the rest of the time, I do what I want to do. When doing what I have to do, I'm not worried about my personal happiness or satisfaction. It just doesn't enter into the equation for me.
Many, many people go into their jobs as junior associates with a K-JD happy special snowflake mentality. But the first few years no one cares about you being happy, or special. They care about you doing work. Hard work. Repetitive work. Complicated (sometimes) work. Again and again, with little to no mistakes.
Do that well, and [five] years in you may have interesting options. Clients may want to hire you away. In-house possibilities. Government jobs. The partner you're working with gets appointed to an agency and takes you as a deputy. Senior folks you talk to about not wanting to do this forever may help you, since after all they know based upon your [five] years of excellent work you would be a great person to place with client/agency/firm/bank/PE shop. Or maybe you start your own company, and all the people you've done great work with are interested in helping you / investing with you / referring you to people. Or maybe you make partner.
I will say this - no one I know who's put in the effort with a good attitude for five years has not found exit opportunities / "graduation" opportunities to be plentiful. At least on the transactional side (sorry).
This may all tie in with the "why do firms like former athletes / military folks?" Because people who see the values in misery now for reward later are much better suited for life as a junior associate.
And not for nothing - I'll bet nouseforaname123 has a very, very nice nest egg saved away.
