Let’s be real: they don’t pay you enough to skip lunch, lose sleep, or carry your laptop like it’s a baby through airport security.
You’ve convinced yourself that if you just care a little more, push a little harder, maybe someone will notice.
Newsflash: they won’t—or worse, they’ll just hand you more work for the same paycheck.
You are not the company. You are not the role. And your worth isn’t measured by how many Slack messages you send after hours.
If the job is draining your soul but refilling your bank account like a leaky faucet, then it’s okay to dial your effort down to match your compensation. That’s not laziness—that’s emotional budgeting.
You’re allowed to do your job well without bleeding for it. You’re allowed to rest without guilt. You’re allowed to want more—and go get it.
💬 DamnJobs Opinion:
Work ethic is great. Self-respect is better. Care deeply—but only about the things that care back. Your job isn’t your identity. It’s just your job.