You've been "putting in the work." Staying late. Saying yes to projects no one else wants. Building a reputation as the person who gets shit done.
And now you're waiting. For your manager to notice. For the annual review cycle to roll around. For someone to finally tap you on the shoulder and say "You've earned it."
This is giving high school prom energy. Sitting by the phone hoping Tyler from AP History asks you to the dance because you laughed at his jokes all semester and wore your cute jeans on lab days. The strategy was: wait and hope he notices.
You're a grown woman now. And you're still doing the same thing, just with a 401(k).