One of the best gifts I was ever given.

When I was twenty-one years old, fresh out of college and about to start my first job, my father gave me a handwritten list of instructions.

Here are my dad’s rules for success:

> Do at least 10% more than you are asked.
> Never, ever, to anybody, present as fact, opinions on things you don’t know. Take great care and discipline.
> Be courteous and considerate always— up and down.
> Don’t knock, don’t complain—stick to constructive, serious criticism.
> Don’t be afraid to make decisions when you have the facts on which to make them.
> Quantify where possible.
> Be open-minded but skeptical.
> Be prompt.

I’ve passed these same rules on to my own children and the original copy hangs next to my bathroom mirror.

- Marc Randolph via Twitter/X