Aim high, but don’t have expectations of yourself or others that you or they can’t possibly meet.  Do your work with patience and with stamina and it will pay off for you in the long run. Your accomplishments will not be overlooked.  There is likely to be a good balance between what is going out and what is coming in relative to your finances. However, if you need to increase or collect your earnings, you are going to have to ask for what you deserve. Have courage and pride, and you will not fail.