The best augury of a man’s success in his profession is that he thinks it the finest in the world.

Believing your line of work matters is not vanity, it is fuel. Somebody who privately thinks their field is second-rate will do second-rate work in it, because nobody gives their good hours to something they are faintly embarrassed by. Conviction shows up in the form of patience with the tedious parts.

If you cannot muster that about your job, find the piece of it you can respect and build outward from there. If nothing survives the search, that is worth knowing rather than enduring. Either way, watch how differently you work on the days you think the work deserves doing.