If your whole heart is not in a proposal or project,or if you have to comprise on your morals or character, walk away. In essence you have answered your own question, it is motivation that is key, and if that is a problem at the sound of the starting gun, it always seem to gather negative speed exponentially, and in the end you will be embroiled in something that may cost you dearly.
I always think of it this way, and I don't know if this will help you, but here goes: The people you get into bed with says everything about you. It says nothing about them. I mean this in the business sense of course!
There is no shame in admitting that one is in business for the money, and only for the money. I know a lot of good people that has that as the driving force in their lives. However, if your work is a calling, your passion, then you have to remain pure.
Being in development you get asked to do all sorts of things, not illegal, but it is just not right. I can then make a decision: I only write the code, and what people use it for, is not my responsibility, and that makes perfect sense. Using the example of a car : If I design and sell a car, surely it is not my fault if the driver chooses to drink and drive.
Even if I KNOW beforehand that that is what the driver is going to do, I can still claim no responsibility. But that is not what my heart says, for my choice is to make a difference and to make a difference for the better. Perhaps this has come on your path so that you can make that decision right now, and that will influence your business. One bad bed fellow is still a word of mouth out there, and you might just end up with a few more offers on the table that you are just not quite sure of. And remember : A negative and a positive will always end up a negative.
Sometimes our names get called and we need to make a stand. Take a look at what it says at the end of your msg's, do you want to remain silent? For silence can become deafening.
It will muddy the water? Oh Dave, the water is already mirky by what you write, and I do understand that you but tell us very little due to confidentiality, which makes it harder to try and help. But I guess by the answers you are getting, at least you can see that you are not alone and that we are trying to be there for you.
May wisdom guide you!
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