From time to time I think most, ambitious, people fall into this trap.
The issue is that these are positional goods. Per definition there can only be a single person who is the top contributor of a field of research.
Every time I fall into this trap I separate out what is positional goods and what is valuables to me. And then I very deliberately convince myself that it is not worth it to chase positional goods for the sake of doing so.
Said in other words: Do research because you like it, not because of the acknowledgement that follows on.
(As a side effect many will find that they indeed do not care doo much about research)
Well put. Chasing positional goods seems inherently vacuous and lacking in satisfaction. It surprises me that anyone thinks that recognition alone is enough to sustain interest in an academic or research career (or other areas like acting). Looking at who succeeds it seems to be people for whom the recognition is an afterthought.
The issue is that these are positional goods. Per definition there can only be a single person who is the top contributor of a field of research.
Every time I fall into this trap I separate out what is positional goods and what is valuables to me. And then I very deliberately convince myself that it is not worth it to chase positional goods for the sake of doing so.
Said in other words: Do research because you like it, not because of the acknowledgement that follows on.
(As a side effect many will find that they indeed do not care doo much about research)