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Pay Attention to the Guideposts

A career is a tender thing. Derailing is so easy and yet a few basic steps can help you stay on the right path. These are the things on which I'm focusing:

1. Sleep. Work to get myself to bed on time as much as possible with an aim to getting 7-8 hours.
2. Nutrition. Of course the 3pm cookie seems to be the only solution to the stress, however, the roller coaster it takes the body on can cost a fortune later. Better to bring the carrots and have them handy.
3. Networking. The work on the desk is critical. The people I know in my industry who do my function and their managers in other companies are invaluable. The lunches, breakfasts and associations are critical to building a career. People hire people they know, and the current job is no guarantee of career development or continuance.
4. Breaks. Whether it's a bathroom break or a well deserved couple of days off, take them. The pause allows the muscles that have become taught in doing to relax and repair, become more effective when next engaged.
5. Kindness and Courtesy at Work. It's too easy to be brusque. A breath or smile can help interactions go more successfully, building goodwill and good days in a bank for those moments when exasperation comes from left field.
6. Pacing Myself. Probably the hardest. Life is a marathon. Look out across a year of time and adjust the goal settings if they become too aggressive and point to burn out.

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