And I'm a sucker for 'how to' lists: 10 ways to deal with a horrible boss; 8 words that should never appear in your twitter bio; 5 ways to keep boomer employees from retiring; (all titles of recent real articles).

A few days ago I came across 5 Ways You Sabotage Your Own Career Without Realizing It by US business writer Steve Tobak on BNET, the CBS business network. I'll summarise, he won't mind.

When things don't go your way, Tobak says, it's tempting to blame it on someone else. Doesn't it feel really good to go home and rant about your lunatic boss who makes your life a living hell or your coworker who got the promotion you deserved? Sure it does, but it's bad for you, and for your job. So stop doing it. Here's how:

Stop believing that someone else is the problem. There is no conspiracy to hold you back, they're not all out to get you, and all your bosses and coworkers are not backstabbing villains. That's right; it's you.

Don't put yourself first. The best way to get ahead is to put the needs of others first. Going above and beyond the call of duty will come back to you eventually. Start listening and learning. Those who act as if they know it all and have overinflated opinions of themselves are usually overcompensating for deep feelings of inferiority and insecurity. When you act that way instead of listening and learning, Tobak says, it's like holding up a giant sign that says, "I act big but I really feel small."

Understand you’re not 'entitled' to anything. There's a simple truth in business, Tobak says: except for one thing. You're entitled to work your tail off and maybe someday make something of yourself; that's about it. The truth is that whatever you feel entitled to you'll never get.

There's no magic secret. You make your own good fortune. Thinking there's a better way - a magic way - works against you by detracting from what it really takes to succeed: hard work, and learning from experience.

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