"A for effort" is not something that exists in the working world. Don't get me wrong, effort is appreciated and it is usually necessary to get results and success. But the Seattle Seahawks put a ton of effort into the Superbowl and still failed. Ultimately its 'results' that count.
In your job, do you really know the metrics by which you are being evaluated? Do you know what metrics really matter to your boss and the company? Do you know how you can affect either and make the needle move? Do you know how your direct manager is evaluated so you can help him/her get ahead? If so - great! That means you have a good management team making things clear.
Now, as you go through your daily routine or activity, if you focus on achieving those results, moving the needle - even if it means doing things that aren't in your direct job description - then you will prove an indispensible part of the success of your team. And people who drive results get rewarded. Hopefully you have a good boss who rewards you because you deserve it. But even a bad boss will increase pay/benefits to ensure you don't leave. Because, guess what? Building those habits make you WAY more valuable not just to your current employer -but to others who will hear about you.
So if you work crazy hard and you aren't getting results. Don't spend time upset you are not appreciated for working crazy hard. Spend time thinking about why that isn't translating to results. And figure out how you can work differently (at your current job or at another) and find results that match the effort. Because, fair or unfair, in the end - its results that matter to employers.

#careers