Raises. Worth it or not???

From personal experience, small merit raises like 2.5% to 7% often feel disappointing when weighed against the effort put in throughout the year. For example, if you work a standard 40-hour week at $35/hour, a 2.5% raise means you earn only about $0.88 more per hour. Over thousands of hours worked annually, this incremental increase might not significantly boost your quality of life. On the other hand, the possibility of securing a 20%-25% raise every few sales—as seen in sales-driven roles—can drastically change your income landscape. This kind of increase reflects your direct impact on the business and rewards your individual contributions more immediately. The advantage here is the ability to determine when raises happen instead of waiting for yearly merit reviews. I've seen colleagues shift from relying solely on merit increases to entrepreneurial ventures or commission-based work, enabling them to reap rewards proportional to their output. This shift changes the mindset from being 'just a number' in a large corporation to owning your financial value. It's also important to consider factors beyond salary percentage, such as paid vacation, holidays, and work-life balance. Even a higher raise may not compensate for a toxic work environment or lack of fulfillment. So, while larger raises can be worth chasing, aligning your work with personal values and goals is equally vital. In conclusion, while merit raises are a step forward, exploring opportunities that offer substantial raises or allow you to control your income growth could be more rewarding both financially and personally. This aligns with the mindset of valuing yourself and seeking a 'high value life' rather than incremental adjustments that barely move the needle.