I'm about to submit two papers in the next few weeks, probably four by end of semester. Given acceptance rates below 5%, while I think each paper should have a shot, I also understand that submitting in econ is a bit like playing the lottery. You have to get lucky. [1/n]

Which does make me wonder sometimes, with such a low success rate & so much tearing each other down, it can be hard to justify staying in this profession. Would I have a bigger impact and a more supportive environment elsewhere? Possibly (maybe even probably) yes. [2/n]

We don't recommend playing lotteries w/ bad odds, so can't help but wonder why am I doing it professionally? How do you justify sticking around? I've tried celebrating rejection, and am normally pretty optimistic, but that can be very challenging to maintain in this field. [3/n]

I know I haven't been rejected on the 4 papers yet (at least this round) but getting four rejections in a row is a distinct possibility and will be devastating. Not sure how I would deal with that on a professional level (I know I'm more than my papers' success personally). [n/n]

(By the way, I'd be thrilled to be proven wrong and not get rejected on all four, just saying)