Business is made up of ambiguous victories and nebulous defeats. Claim them all as victories. Keep track of what you do; someone is sure to ask. Be comfortable around senior managers, or learn to fake it. Never bring your boss a problem without some solution. You are getting paid to think, not to whine. Long hours don't mean anything; results count, not effort. Write down ideas; they get lost like good pens.

Always arrive at work 30 minutes before your boss. Be sure to sit at the conference table-never by the wall. Help other people that network for jobs. What goes around comes around. Don't take sick days-unless you are. Assume no one can/will keep a secret. Always have an answer to the question "What would I do if I lost my job tomorrow?" Go to the company holiday party. Don't get drunk at the company holiday party. Avoid working on the weekends. Work longer during the week if you have to. The most successful people in business are interesting.

Sometimes you'll be on a roll and everything will click; take maximum advantage. When the opposite is true, hold steady and wait it out.  Never in your life say," It's not my job." Be loyal to your career, your interests and yourself. Understand the skills and abilities that set you apart. Whenever you have an opportunity, use them. People remember the end of the project. As they say in boxing, "Always finish stronger than you start."