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Comment by bcherny | Hacker News Reader

I like the argument made in So Good They Can't Ignore You, which is in line with this article. Specifically, the author argues that based on studies, people most satisfied with their jobs are not those with a natural aptitudes for their work.

Rather, job satisfaction is well predicted by (1) expertise in the given field, (2) quality of coworkers, and (3) freedom to do what you think is right. For me, I'd say this is pretty accurate.

Generally, there are a few popular models of job satisfaction: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Job_satisfaction.

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Hey bcherny, we also love So Good They Can't Ignore You, and discuss its findings in part 3 of our career guide: https://80000hours.org/career-guide/career-capital/

We also interviewed the author of 'So Good' about their latest book just 2 weeks ago: https://80000hours.org/2016/08/is-deep-work-the-most-underap...

Here are our extensive thoughts on the job satisfaction literature: https://80000hours.org/career-guide/job-satisfaction . I think it's a pretty fun read. :)

This goes back to mastery, autonomy, and purpose as key motivators / engagement of workers today. However, purpose and quality of coworkers are what's different from the two which means that motivation and job satisfaction are at least correlated and that the differences may be better explained with models based more around relationships - relationship with oneself is a big part of finding purpose in life or career, after all in the western world.

i can say that the thing that upsets me the most at work is when i can't do what i think is right -- for whatever reason.

this is especially true about the things that may have long-term impact, because i know it's going to screw us down the line.

I don't know your specific situation, but I've seen others with the same mindset who are actually wrong, e.g. trying to optimise for a hypothetical scenario that is unlikely or whose costs outweigh the benefits...they just don't realize it because they don't have enough context or domain expertise.

I'm not saying that's you, but it might be. If you have this trait, you better be right a lot, or nobody will want to work with you.

i'm the owner. i'm acutely aware of the costs and the benefits, because i pay for both.

If you are the owner then why can't you do what is right?

presumably, clients

then he doesn't pay for both?

unless you're the fed, all money comes from someone else, buddy. that's how the system works.

dang, you're right, i should have thought of that earlier.

He might be genuinely trying to find out what your situation is. Your defensiveness is kind of a red flag.

"don't be defensive" is a great retort because no matter what anyone says, they just seem more defensive.

day to day, i deal with people like you a lot. armchair quarterbacks and real-life concern trolls. that's why owning a business is hard.

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