Combating Weakness

So high finance across the spectrum attracts the most talented, hard working, and intellectually curious individuals who want to create a successful life for themselves. Often times, especially for interviews, we try to find weaknesses that we can then spin into strengths to maximize our candidacy.

I wanted to create a thread where we can self-reflect and highlight true weaknesses that we might be struggling with and share advice and stories on how you may have dealt with those. I can start, I struggle with motivation and being a heavy procrastinator relying on fight or flight (or adderall) to kick in before producing any substantial work. Anyone deal with something similar?

Not a place for for criticism but more an opportunity for shared experience learning which this forum is all about.

 

I thought I had a problem with motivation but I don't. I have a problem with discipline which is much more valuable than motivation. Getting the work done is especially important when your not motivated. A good example of this is weightlifting. Anyone who lifts regularly (exercise in general) knows that to get better you have to show up and do the work whether you are motivated or not. Definitely a key thing that I've been working on.

“The only thing I know is that I know nothing, and i am no quite sure that i know that.” Socrates
 
Best Response

I'm one of the worst procrastinators ever. I think it's because I can push things off to the last second and still get great grades. It sucks when I want to do anything that's more than what's required. Which is why banking should be good for me, due to the various work you have to do and all the deadlines.

I worked in finance this summer and that helped me get over the procrastination. I realized my issue was I was thinking too much about the task, if I really wanted to do it, and the meaning of doing it. I legit just started thinking less and it has helped immensely.

 

That is very interesting and reassuring @cavalierbanker". From what you are describing, it sounds like we struggle with very similar issues. I'll be interning as an IBD SA and I hope what you say rings true so that I can "break" out of this mentality. Over the summer I hope I can learn to self-motivate (or self-discipline? as Bayoumonkey described) because for me it definitely is a combination of both.

What other issues do people seem to struggle with?

 

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