Im quite active in my work. Taking ownership thinking about how to solve issues, lean and clean, good documentation etc and if I would only do minimum work, I would neither learned that much nor would I have the experience which allows me my carrier I have.

And yes I'm still only working full time but my salary is now nearly half as much as a lot of 'normal' people who did not spend the time like I did.

And I will continue to work like this.

Of course I'm not 100% sure if or how much of my own IQ has a part in this or that it(all of it) is my hobby as well but still.

And if certain things are not valued money wise Ina prev company, I still had enough to show to the new company.

If you like your work and you are good at it, it's more fun, you gain more privilege and when you optimize yourself away you have either tons of R&D time or can take the next challenge.

But your manager will seldom Loos a person like this.