To add on to #1, it is especially demotivating when the higher-ups drag their heels on even getting the project to you (hey, they're busy too) and then it NEEDS

To add on to #1, it is especially demotivating when the higher-ups drag their heels on even getting the project to you (hey, they're busy too) and then it NEEDS TO BE DONE RIGHT NOW! Or even better, when someone higher up screws up and you have to fix it, nights and weekends be damned. It took me a long time to realize that most of these "urgent deadlines" are basically arbitrary. It's almost as if they think their employees can't function without the sound of a ticking clock over their heads. It's extremely stressful and counterproductive. I enjoy a push every once in a while, but it's demoralizing when it's not for a damn good reason.