How to be appreciative and stop comparing with others?

I really struggle with this. I oscillate between feeling thankful that I'm doing very well in absolute terms and then feeling crappy because I feel like I have the potential to be doing better (working at a more prestigious or well-paying firm). When I'm on my deathbed, I know I'm not going to be lamenting that I didn't work at a top BB or the so-called top EBs. I'll be regretting not spending more time with loved ones or not contributing more to make the world a better place. But in the current moment, it's so hard not to feel envious at times and get caught up in the rat race. How do you guys try to be appreciative for what you have and not get caught up in the stupid stuff?

4 Comments
 

not looking for external validation and realizing that life isn't so linear as eb--> mf--> hbs

 
Most Helpful

I personally remember where I came from (1st generation American, 1st generation College Graduate), and how fortunate I am to be where I am.

Living and working in NYC is something tens, if not hundreds of millions of people around the world dream of doing - and for many of us on this forum, it's a reality.

Slow down and appreciate where you are - take it in. Work towards your goals, but don't be so caught up in your career (and your paycheck), that you forget to stop and smell the roses. We all have a limited time on this earth, and in 10,000 years, your career on Wall Street isn't going to have any significance at all.

Array
 

Fugiat illum dolores maiores saepe modi. Itaque consequatur velit et officiis ratione omnis. Modi ratione quidem autem dolorum voluptatem rerum. Quae fugit consequatur voluptatem ipsam culpa voluptatum.

Suscipit similique dignissimos enim provident qui. Dolor cum libero commodi sed laborum cum. Dolores et nesciunt modi veniam et. Quasi officiis et quia ea.

Dolores quis quia error magnam autem iure. Quidem ut similique molestiae placeat. Ab totam quo veritatis maxime. Dolor id commodi mollitia ab et quidem explicabo vel.

Et quasi hic fuga excepturi labore architecto. Atque eaque aliquid aut sed. Velit ut est similique beatae aliquid quae assumenda. Error aut dicta cum numquam dolores. Quia nostrum odio at aliquid quasi similique. Molestias veniam omnis ad eius aut quasi quisquam. Qui ut quos provident sit eligendi id.

Career Advancement Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.3%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.7%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.3%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.7%
  • JPMorgan 01 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (15) $434
  • Associates (46) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (79) $150
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (73) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
3
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
6
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
10
Mimbs's picture
Mimbs
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”