A first author ACS paper, is directly proportional to the dignity of a research scholar….

So, my supervisor asks us to publish a minimum of 5 paper, of which 3 are supposed to first author papers. So in these first author papers, at least 1 must be ACS. Both senior and junior research scholars of my lab have ACS papers but I don’t. So my professor is pushing me to work harder on my next papers but, idk my results are not cooperating. And collaboration is something he doesn’t encourage and the with no funds- it’s hard around here. But my fellow lab mates have done it. I’m trying real hard here, but my professor keeps saying, ACS is a standard journal which publishes standard research, try harder and it will make your profile wholesome. I get this but is this true? I think my writing style is bad, Or am I overanalyzing my research work and messing it up. I know all research is not the same and that I should not compare but somehow my dignity as a research scholar is tied to an ACS paper.