Insights into the motivation for striving

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After reading the article “The Death of Yang Xiu – A Painful Lesson from the Workplace,” I was deeply moved. There was a time when I was just as energetic and motivated, with endless energy to spare every day! During this period, I’ve been in a poor mood due to salary issues; my motivation at work has **decreased, and I even lack the enthusiasm to study*. I’ve also been struggling, trying to get out of this state as soon as possible, but it’s like being in a quagmire – I just can’t get rid of it. I just went back to that article again and saw the OP’s reply: “My boss’s appreciation and my own aspirations.” It seemed as though I instantly understood what I had lost. During my postgraduate studies, I often conducted experiments and analyzed samples, staying busy until 11 or 12 at night; yet I would still feel full of energy when I woke up at 6 or 7 in the morning. Looking back, I truly enjoyed that lifestyle – it was fulfilling and gave me a great sense of accomplishment. The reason one works hard is simply to earn the supervisor’s approval, to meet the expectations of the supervisor and the factory, and to prove that one is capable. When I first started working, I was still full of energy, driven by the expectations placed on us by our managers as well as my own desire to improve my skills. But as work progressed at a leisurely pace in the state-owned enterprise, my drive was greatly diminished; it even seemed that the purpose of working was merely to earn a salary, and life became increasingly meaningless, with no trace left of the enthusiasm I once had. I clearly know there’s a lot to learn* (and that I can interact with many experienced seniors), but I just can’t settle down to study*; the main reason is my impetuous mindset. On the one hand, housing prices are high, but wages are not high ； On the other hand, there is so much to learn in terms of the techniques involved, which has caught me off guard; I’m not sure when I’ll be able to handle things on my own. “When working, one should not have too strong an emphasis on goals (or benefits), as that can lead to emotional instability. ”This was said by a friend on the forum. Perhaps for me, it is the appreciation from my supervisors, meeting others’ expectations, and simply achieving a goal that gives me a sense of accomplishment; these things are what truly motivate me. Perhaps by meeting others’ expectations, one’s abilities continue to improve, and so does one’s value. Everyone is welcome to share their opinions and suggestions, and feel free to talk about what motivates you!