Work Smarter Not Harder
I sometimes wonder why some people work so hard but get paid lesser than those who work less. That is an irony of life that baffles me when I see someone working so hard but have nothing to show for it. We have always been told to work hard but incidentally lied to in the process, not intentionally but that's just what happens. Another related irony I have noticed is that some companies that pay you less money make you work harder for the money than those whom they pay more.
I have come to the conclusion that YOU have to work smarter and NOT harder! There are people at the top in your organization who are not clocking in the same number of hours as you but cashing in more than you. It is only wise for you to find out what those people did to get there and map out your path to get there too. No brainer! The guy who works hard says "I have to work double shift and overtime to make an extra $100" while the guy who works smart says, "I have to brush up my skills to earn $100 in a tiny fraction of time for a work shift".
YOU have to be strategic about your work. Specifically, you have to be strategic about the work you do to generate the result you desire. It is not enough to desire good stuff; you must be strategic about the work you do about it. Note that I did not say JOB, I said WORK. Your WORK is your Worthwhile Opportunity Requiring Knowledge. Those who shy away from acquiring knowledge will always serve those who command results based on their knowledge.
Go for knowledge! Stop envying those at the top. Ask "how can I get there?" When you ask the right questions, your brainpower will get to work and propel you to where you can acquire the answers.