Something happened at work.
It required me to work 14+ hour days the past two weeks. I'm salaried so no overtime. I've put all my side projects to the side so that I could dedicate myself to the task at hand. It was insane at work, and when I left, I came home and worked some more too, and even the weekend. Long story short, I put in a godawful amount of hours.
Because of my work, and solely my work, the workplace is back to a functional level and working phenomenally.
My boss/owner realizes what level of performance and knowledge I have achieved, and they claim to be offering me a bit of a raise in the near future. I have researched salary data and I am already right around $20,000 less than what others make in my field, but have fallen into the “rural area, so you make less” scheme. The company is entirely capitalistic, the most successful sit at the top.
Long story short, after these past two weeks, I have determined I can make similar wages with a substantial cut in the amount of stress. I would also have more time to take care of myself. My employer has suddenly realized my potential and work ethic, and now they want to pay me more so that I stay there forever.
This same employer in the past has offered me a $1 raise and threw a 5 year contract at me. I said no. Keep your money. I am not locking myself down for such a petty increase in pay. I suspect another contract will be thrown at me and this time it might surprise them. Even if they would give me $20,000 more, I would likely respectfully reject the offer. I'm looking to make a career change anyway, and now is the time to do it. However, if the raise puts me at 6 figures, I might have to sign up, but I think I might be dreaming. These folks pinch pennies and they love commitment and dedication to the company. I cannot be dedicated as I've been burnt before, so I guess we split the difference here.