Pls light a fire under my lazy ass

Title says it. Currently a rising sophomore at a borderline target/semi-target school (UVA non-McIntire/Umich non-Ross) and have been struggling with networking and recruiting. Feeling overwhelmed and need a push off the cliff.

Any kind of motivation will be appreciated. Thanks!

14 Comments
 

Think about all those people that pissed you off in your life. Teachers who said you weren´t good enough, that jock who gave you wedgies in middle school, fuck, even the no-good bureaucrats of the DMV who made you wait 3 fucking hours for one single (!) stamp, while the scorching heat slowly liquified you. Think of all those people. And then realize that every day that is not spent working your ass off networking is a day those people are right about you. Every time you slack off, you validate those cunts. So fuck them and work your ass off.

...and the Truth shall set you free
 

This. I was laughed at by "friends", peers, high school teachers, etc. for telling people that I wanted to work on wall street. A lot of the people who I thought would support me made me feel really shitty for suggesting such a thing - it burned. I nurtured that flame into a full-time offer, and I've had quite a few good laughs looking back.

 

When feeling lazy think about the time when you will be graduating. Imagine the opportunities you could otherwise achieve, if you weren't lazy.

Secondly, know that it is a competitive field. People from all type of schools trying to do the best to get into the industry.

Finally, like the previous comment said, think about people who laughed at you.

Potential feel of regret, competition, and the fear of failing, and revenge are strong motivators.

 
Most Helpful

You will never be anything. You’ll do a shit job recruiting for IB and you will meander through life hopping from one mediocre job to the next until you retire

That’s the type of career you’ll have if you’re “overwhelmed” by having to do some networking calls and memorize some questions that the vault guide literally lays out on a silver platter for you

 

Contrarian take. Wouldn’t use others who set you off as extrinsic motivation. Sure, that will build a fire in you that burns hard and fast.. but it will be superficial.. Ask yourself what you want out of your life. If you want something thats akin to upper middle class, then keep chilling.. you’re probably fine and will find yourself there. If you want something greater, with more prestige and whatnot, then you need to do everything you can to give yourself the best chance at being successful. That’s a combination of hard work and luck.. right now it sounds you’re lacking the former. But contingent on what you really desire… that might not be much of a problem.

 

Don’t be just another brick in the wall. Be special. Strive for excellence and reward yourself for each milestone you set in life. Savor the sweetness of success and live life with no regrets.

"If you always put limits on everything you do, physical or anything else, it will spread into your work and into your life. There are no limits. There are only plateaus, and you must not stay there, you must go beyond them." - Bruce Lee
 

Commodi nesciunt ad sit suscipit tempore vel. Quod tempore voluptates cum quos. Sunt officia autem aut qui. Iure minus accusamus accusantium. Repudiandae quo blanditiis consequuntur qui asperiores.

Corrupti temporibus dolorem illo numquam saepe vero dolor. Nemo vel omnis voluptatibus officia nulla. Et veniam ipsum debitis nam dolorum. Et fuga officiis fugit deserunt.

Career Advancement Opportunities

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.3%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Morgan Stanley 03 98.9%
  • Evercore 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.9%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.3%

Professional Growth Opportunities

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.9%
  • JPMorgan No 97.3%

Total Avg Compensation

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (51) $260
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (26) $182
  • Intern/Summer Associate (15) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (84) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (76) $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
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
6
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
10
bolo up's picture
bolo up
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...”