Working

The Frustrating Limits of Goal-Focused Work

“There are no more promotions to be had.”

Advertisement

Episode Notes

On this edition of Working Overtime, hosts Karen Han and June Thomas help a listener named Alisa who wants to know if it’s possible to move beyond goal-focused work. Alisa works in academia, where the goals and checkpoints are clear, but she feels like she’s gone as far as she can go. Karen and June share their experiences with goal-focused work and try to think of alternative methods for motivation.

Do you have a question about creative work? Call us and leave a message at 304-933-9675, or email us at working@slate.com.

Podcast production by Kevin Bendis and Cameron Drews.

Advertisement

About the Show

Slate interviews creative people about their work.

All episodes

Hosts

  • Karen Han is a former Slate staff writer. Her writing on film, TV, and culture has also appeared in the New York Times, Vulture, Vanity Fair, the Atlantic, and Vice.

  • June Thomas is the co-host of Slate's Working podcast. She is writing a book about archetypical lesbian spaces.