A few months after I started working for my present employers, a colleague of veteran (to my young eyes!) status told me never to try and impress overmuch, you get no better thought of, and certainly no better paid. He summed it up with the phrase "You get paid as much for marching as you do for fighting." an expression I have never forgotten, and I have passed on many times. Having always done my job as well as I am able, and never tried too hard, I past the age my colleague was when I received his advice, i have stood by the advice, and it has rewarded me by having no work-related stress what ever, and a long and happy career.