More from the book Don't Sweat the Small Stuff at Work by Richard Carlson:

'* Never, Ever Backstab - when you backstab, not only does it make you look bad, it adds stress and anxiety to your life; earn the respect and trust of other people by not speaking badly about others

* Have a Favorite Charity - it is always good to help others in need

* Accept the Fact That, Every Once in a While, You're Going to Have a Really Bad Day - try to look for the silver lining in every bad situation

* Recognize Patterns of Behavior - negative patterns often repeat themselves; detect problems and nip them in the bud

* Pat Yourself on the Back - it is not enough that you show appreciation towards other people; you should also give yourself praise and encouragement

* Become Less Self-Absorbed - don't take yourself too seriously; self-absorbed people are rude, demanding, selfish and arrogant

* Don't Be Trapped by Golden Handcuffs - don't choose to live very close to the edge of your current means; you are trapping yourself into keeping a job you might hate merely because you need the income

* Get Really Comfortable Using Voice Mail - voice mails are an effective way to give you an uninterrupted point of view; use them to your advantage

* Stop Wishing You Were Somewhere Else - don't wish your life away; accept your reality and make the most out of it; it is better to focus on what you are doing right now than on what you'd rather be doing; you will enjoy your life and work more