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Don't get too good at the wrong stuff
Timothy Ferriss
Author, "The Four-Hour Workweek"

Professor Ed Zschau at Princeton University gave me a short but powerful piece of advice. I had volunteered for the second time to clean erasers and place name placards on desks before class to get to know him.

He said with a smile, "Don't get too good at the little things" and explained that if you excel at the menial tasks, those are the responsibilities people will associate you with and give you. Get noticed for doing things that help the big picture, not for fetching coffee, and your financial picture will grow just as fast as your reputation.

NEXT: Live within your means

Last updated July 22 2008: 11:27 AM ET
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