[watwut]

The other reality is that if you expect nothing, you will get nothing. If you expect low salary, you will get low salary no matter how hard you work or what skills you have.

Working hard on itself does not bring rewards. Asking for what you want and negotiating brings rewards.

[StefanBatory]

Isn't that fine though?

I was raised to believe that asking for anything more is a sign of pride and vainness.

If my work won't be recognized, than all it means that it wasn't good or useful, and asking for anything more is pride.

[Doxin]

That comes across as naive to me. Surely any boss would be more than happy to pay you (much) less than you are worth?

If your work isn't be recognized does not mean it's not good or useful. It just means it's not recognized.

[StefanBatory]

Perhaps it is, but I believe it's important to fight off any feelings of pride or narcissism.

The only variable I can change is myself, and thus I recognise that every single mistake or failure is mine and mine only. I believe that's the healthiest outlook on life that one can have.

Also, I think too I don't have any right to say what I'm worth - my worth is determined by how much my labor creates value for others. If I'm paid peanuts, that speaks badly of me.

[Doxin]

The point is that, by default, you're not paid the value you create for others. It's not pride or narcissism to recognize that in a capitalist system everyone is out for themselves. If YOU aren't out for yourself, no one is.