Show Up Early and Stay Late

One of the most valuable lessons that I learned at work was to show up early and stay late. No one taught me this lesson, I just learned it through experience. This has helped me in every job I have had.

I have heard it said that being early is on time, being on time is late, and late is unacceptable. Managers expect every employee to be punctual and dependable. That means that you come in when you are supposed to and on time. That is the minimum expectation, but good employees exceed the expectation.

Good Employees Hustle

There are only so many hours a day to get things done--taking advantage of these hours to succeed or get ahead is HUSTLE.

When I was a young man involved in sports, coaches encouraged (demanded) for us to hustle. Hustle was never defined or explained, but we all knew what the coaches wanted. They wanted us to move fast, work hard, be determined, and never give up. Our coaches would forgive mistakes if we hustled, but if we were not hustling and making mistakes we were relegated to the bench--and no one wanted to be on the bench.

Good employees bring that same drive and determination to their jobs. Hustle is an entrepreneurial trait. Hustle is about getting ahead. Hustle is about taking ownership in what brings career and personal success. Hustle will make you and your company a success.

Hustle is about focusing on success and taking advantage of the time you have.