If you are not criticized, you may not be doing much.

Plan backwards as well as forward. Set objectives and trace back to see how to achieve them. You may find that no path can get you there. Plan forward to see where your steps will take you, which may not be clear or intuitive.

Enjoy your time in public service. It may well be one of the most interesting and challenging times of your life.

See that the President, the Cabinet and staff are informed. If cut out of the information flow, their decisions may be poor, not made, or not confidently or persuasively implemented.

Don't speak ill of your predecessors or successors. You didn't walk in their shoes.

Don't automatically obey Presidential directives if you disagree or if you suspect he hasn't considered key aspects of the issue.