I got my performance review at work this afternoon and it was my best review in 3 years. I was pleased. My boss is like one of those teachers who never gives A’s and even pleasing him a little often requires a great deal of work. But he seemed genuinely happy with my work this year and that pleased me.

What pleased me even more was that it was a good review, despite my philosophy of limiting my work hours to a 40 hour week (with very rare exceptions). In some sense, it means that I have managed somewhat successfully to learn how to do well in my job without my job becoming my life.

I got a decent raise along with the review, but that means that least to me. I never see it. It all gets added to my retirement so I don’t have to pay taxes on it. My net pay will stay the same.