The first, simplest, and sometimes most difficult step is this: just take the time to pay attention. Seriously. Take—the—time . . . to pay attention.

A chess player halfway through the game can’t complain about the poor positioning of his pieces or the limited options available, because he created those circumstances, move by move. If you rewind the chess game of your life you will often see how earlier choices and decisions put you in a position where you feel you no longer have viable choices.

Shouldn’t doing an exceptional job be enough? Unfortunately it’s not. The hard truth is that you must learn to do a great job AND navigate the complex human dynamics.

Know exactly why you’re doing it and know your endgame (including timeline). • Trust no one, and understand that most are playing the same game you are. The rest are TRULY nuts. • Give the Personality all the ego stroking he or she demands, but expect nothing in return. Do not expect consistency, reliability, or integrity.

At work there are no friends or enemies, just imperfect people trying to do their jobs well.

If you don’t read people well, you’re climbing up a wobbly career ladder. Blindfolded.

WHEN THEY SAY: I ASK: I work in an abusive environment. Why do you choose to do that? I’ve had a series of bad bosses. What does that tell you about yourself? I don’t play corporate politics. Why do you refuse to play? This was the best job I could find in the area. Why did you limit yourself to this area? Everyone in this industry is struggling. W

As you look at your own life and the choices you have made, hopefully you can remember these three key lessons: • I created these circumstances, and that may be painful to acknowledge. • I will create my new circumstances, which may be good or bad. • I am responsible for a plan that leads me to a positive outcome no matter what the external circums

We want to do and be and experience many different things, and generally our strongest motivations at any given moment focus on what we are lacking or feel unlikely to achieve.