When You Underperform, Your Boss Will Keep Reminding You of Your Lousy State

If you're below expectations, that means you're going to be let go.
If you meet expectations, that means you're staying put.
If you exceed expectations, that means a raise and stock options are coming your way.

When you're exceeding expectations, you don't even notice the demands being made on you.

It's only when you fall short that your boss keeps bringing up how off your game has been lately, and so on.