Started at $38,000 a year. Finished the year at $81,844. And nobody is out of my league.

When I started Emperor, I had just been promoted to a position I felt unqualified for and was stumbling badly. Within 5 days I started feeling effects. After two months, my life began to radically change. Two different advancement opportunities came. One was a guaranteed management position. The other was a technical engineering role — not guaranteed, required applying, and no pay increase due to the freeze. I'm a college dropout with no engineering background. I chose the technical role. I knew — not thought, knew — that I would get the job. And I did. From day one, I loved it. In August: 13% raise. My manager also gave me a $12,000 bonus because he had more freedom with bonuses than raises. Before Emperor: $38,000/year. Finished 2020: $81,844.73 total gross earnings. My first six-figure year is coming. Two new playmates in my life. About six years ago I made a list of attributes I'd want in a partner before I'd ever marry again — I once thought women like that would be completely out of my league. A few months ago I stopped thinking that. Nobody is out of my league. I honestly forget that I'm 47 sometimes because I feel like I'm in my mid-twenties with such an incredible future ahead.