Hacker News Reader

Comment by akerl_ | Hacker News Reader

Why are “get satisfaction from recognition” and “get satisfaction from things within your control” presented here as exclusive options? It seems fully viable to feel satisfaction from more than one source; why not get recognized for my work and cultivate internal sources of satisfaction?

View on HN

Because it doesn’t last. You get a short burst of happiness when you get recognized, but it goes away quickly. Then you start seeking new recognition to make up for the void, and before you know it you’re on an endless treadmill without ever attaining lasting satisfaction.

I feel like I addressed this in my comment, but my point is that “getting satisfaction from recognition” and “getting satisfaction internally” are not mutually exclusive.

It’s also not sustainable for me to eat at fancy restaurants for every meal, but that doesn’t mean I need to avoid ever eating at fancy restaurants. It means I should account for multiple sources of food.

I can agree with your point about the satisfaction, but the other effects of recognition are long lasting; in the long run the "investments" in building up reputation pay off in various ways that make your life and relationships with others easier.

In the long run, a strong reputation (caused by this recongition) generally gives you more influence, flexibility and autonomy; and it's well-researched that those factors improve job satisfaction.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com