How do you deal with bad performance reviews?

How to deal with situations where you have given your best and contributed a lot to the project/Organisation (which is tangible) but the efforts don't get reflected in your performance appraisals and promotions due to office politics? You don't get promoted because the boss's favourite needs to be promoted despite sub-par performance. Shifting the job isn't an option for a few years considering responsibilities, lack of good paying jobs in finance and the Organisation is really good.