Ladies and gentlemen of Xperts:

Read the Wallstreet Journal.

If I could offer you only one tip for the future at Xperts, reading the Wallstreet Journal would be it. The long-term benefits of reading the Wallstreet Journal has been proved by economists, whereas the rest of my advice has no basis more reliable than my own meandering experience. I will dispense this advice, now.

Enjoy your family and your youth. Keep yourself centered in your circle of priorities. But trust me, in 20 years, you'll look back at all those unpaid late nights and recall in a way you can't grasp now how much your presence really means to your loved ones today.

Don't worry about the company's future. Or worry, but know that worrying is as effective as trying to get Weum to stop eating red meat.

Do one thing every day that scares management.

Play Quake.

Don't be reckless with other people's computers. Don't put up with people who are reckless with yours.

Buy Apple.

Don't waste your time on revenge. Sometimes you're ahead, sometimes you're behind. The race is long and, in the end, it's only with yourself.

Remember your achievements. Let go of your failures. If you succeed in doing this, tell me how.

Challenge management in a way that doesn't question them.

Eat Bagels.

Attempt things you've never attempted before. Stretch your knowledge and your skillsets.

Get plenty of caffeine, but be kind to your kidneys. You'll miss them when they're gone.

Maybe you'll promoted, maybe you won't. Maybe you'll have fun, maybe you won't. Maybe you'll get let go, maybe you'll dance the funky chicken when this company is finally sold. Whatever you do, don't congratulate yourself too much, or berate yourself either. Your chances are half chance. So are everybody else's.

Dance, even if you have nowhere to do it but the server room.

Take initiative, but demand credit.

Get to know your project managers. You never know when they'll be gone for good.

Be nice to your coworkers. They're your best link to your sanity and the people most likely to stick with you in the future.

Understand that friends come and go, but with a precious few you should hold on. Work hard to bridge the gaps in geography and lifestyle, because the older you get, the more you need the people who knew you when you were young.

Read the BrozNews.

Be careful whose advice you buy, but be patient with those who supply it.

But trust me on reading the Wallstreet Journal.