Have you honestly been told that if you were really hard right now, you&#x27;ll be able to retire soon? What was the context? A manager trying to sell you on putting in extra hours, because the IPO is going to make you rich?<p>I nodded to a lot of your points (although I have personally done well by 1 of the 3 companies to offer me options), but I&#x27;ve <i>never</i> had a boss actively try to push me like that. It&#x27;s always been encouragement or constructive criticism, but never (potentially) false promises. That just strikes me as so wrong.