Some years ago, I asked my friend Stephen D. Chakwin Jr. to be a guest speaker at a “Dine & Learn” event for a company where I worked. Stephen is an attorney practicing in the greater New York area. He’s intelligent, reflective and a life-long learner.

That evening, he spoke earnestly to the group about work, ideas and the importance of living a meaningful life. I’ve often thought about that evening as it was one of those special occasions where everyone was genuinely engaged, the questions sincere and the group discussion open and honest. There seemed to be a shared understanding among everyone present.

As it turns out, the other day I happened to come across my old notes from that evening. The advice is as relevant as ever, and I only wish I’d referred back to the advice more frequently. Not sure what sources Stephen used to compile the list – though I suspect it was an accumulation of his experiences, readings and connections. I’ll include a portion of the notes below.

10 Things You Need to Know About Work

1. No matter what anyone says, you are an independent contractor.
2. You need to market yourself inside and outside your organization.
3. If you can’t explain in 50 words or less why you are the best person in the world for the job that you are doing, you may not be doing it for long.
4. If you can’t explain in 50 words or less why the company you are working for is the best place in the world for you to be working, you may not be working in the right place.
5. Unless you are oriented horizontally (you know how the way you work compares with how everyone else you know of who does the same thing), vertically (you know how the way you work fits in with those above and below you in the company hierarchy) and in time (you have a clear idea of where you have come from and are heading in your work life), you are going to drift.
6. Always connect with as many people as you can in your industry – the best one will teach you a lot, the worst ones will teach you more.
7. Always connect with as many people as you can outside your industry – speaking with them about what they do and perceive, and explaining what you do and perceive will teach you more about what you really do than years of discussions with you colleagues.
8. Your only competition is yourself.
9. If you find work that you like enough to do for a long time, there’s a chance that you will last long enough to become good at it.
10. There are two excellent tests of whether you are doing the right work: how you feel on Monday morning and how you feel at the end of the work day.

Certainly this list is only a beginning. Would love to hear your additions and comments. What else might you add?

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Tom loves building meaningful businesses and technology (with people who care). Reach him on Twitter @thomastriumph or tomtriumph.com.