For the last four years, I was the "yes" person. I stayed late, answered emails on weekends, volunteered for cross-functional projects, and regularly took on tasks way outside my job description because I genuinely thought it would lead to that promotion/recognition.

​During our annual review last month, I was told I'm "doing a solid job maintaining my current responsibilities" and got a standard 2.5% inflation-matching raise. Meanwhile, a peer who strictly logs off at 5 PM every day and strictly sticks to their contract got the exact same review and raise.

​Something just snapped in me. Two weeks ago, I decided to start working my actual hours. No weekend check-ins, no rushing to put out fires that aren't mine, and no stressing over things that can wait until Monday morning.

​The crazy part? Nothing broke.…