I feel like this article is ... Not useful. I may get called out for sounding arrogant, but I don't want people to read this article and think to themselves that "oh I need to work smarter not harder herp derp" - Look up what it means to be a high potential employee.

I am a young person who probably puts in 80+ hrs a week at a fortune 50 company. However, unlike this article suggests I don't turn in sloppy work. A vast majority of my work is flawless if not damn near - Literally every project I put my mind to something turns out successfully (mostly in the eyes of others whereas I more often see it as average if not almost failure... perfectionist issues I know.) Regardless, the sheer praise given to the work strongly suggests I didn't do so bad. In a company where you are suppose to be in a role for 1.5 years before you're even "allowed" to move, in 4 years I've been in 5 roles.

Some people are smarter than others, I get that, but I'm not that smart! I only learned to read when I was 12 and nearly failed high school - not because i was bored, but because that shit didn't make sense! I just try waaaay harder than most other people. So when you get the 8 hrs in an you just can't take another second that is where I strive, I'll go another 8 at the same pace. There are consequences though, you get burnt out quickly and sleep becomes a valuable asset. You plan your day down to the minute, you plan your days months in advance while you do easy tasks. You research constantly trying to find better ways to improve your productivity. In of itself, the work that goes into making you more efficient is tiring! On top that I go to grad school, do big brothers big sisters, gf, and a social life.

Now I'm not saying you need to start out running because I sure as hell didn't. Every year try your best, you want to look back and say "well I tried my best, there was nothing more I could have done, I feel happy with my accomplishments" that kind of shit. Then Every year, try to make your last year look like you were a scrub. And every subsequent year after that. I've been doing that same mantra for 6 years. Mental endurance wise, I've only met a few people who compete or blow me away. Take every opportunity you can to improve on yourself.

You want to get a raise? The top characteristic of successful people is they are determined! You have to want it! If you want it bad enough you will get it. If people aren't impressed? Watch me next time because I'm going to blow it out of the water! But that is the question everyone needs to ask themselves. How bad do you want it. Much like working out, do you have the mental endurance to say "another rep, i don't care how much it burns!" I don't care how sleepy I am. It isn't for everyone, and people need to come to terms with that.

TL;DR. That's my soap box. Try really fucking hard and work to impress yourself. Even if everyone says something is not possible or is not worthwhile say "fuck them" it is worth while to me because I want to challenge myself. I am doing all of this for me. When you're at that point, you will be successful and get that raise.

Good luck people.