As demonstrated in the examples below, everyone has career highs and lows, with some more public than others. But learning from them is the key to success. Below are six do's and don'ts that can help your career advancement in the coming year.
1. DO stay focused on achieving your goals, despite adversity or distractions. President-elect Barack Obama succeeded in one of the most lengthy and public of all hiring processes, in part because he kept his cool and kept his eyes on the prize. Another great example of this principle is Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps, who won a record eight gold medals in Beijing.
"No matter how many times Barack Obama was called the underdog, or how many people spoke out against him, he believed in himself and his cause and kept his attention focused on the most important goals to achieve at that moment," says Alexandra Levit, author of "How'd You Score That Gig?"
"In always appearing 'presidential,' Obama was already doing the job he was campaigning for, and this is the surest way to a promotion in any job situation."
2. DON'T let anyone tell you you're too old for the job. At 41, swimmer Dara Torres participated in her fifth Olympics, competing against women less than half her age. She won three silver medals in Beijing and inspired millions of viewers worldwide.
"The only thing that can get in the way of your success is you," says Dan Schawbel, author of "Me 2.0: Build a Powerful Brand to Achieve Career Success." "It's not about age, race, class, or gender, but rather what you're passionate about and what your knowledge base is."
3. DO find your niche and be persistent. While some have called MSNBC's Rachel Maddow an "overnight success" due to the highly-rated show she debuted this year, she has worked for years as a radio host and pundit with a unique style that is now being appreciated by a wider audience.
"Rachel Maddow proved that if you continuously do good work and provide a service that people value, eventually you will be recognized and rewarded for it," says Levit. "There is typically no such thing as an overnight success in competitive fields such as media and entertainment. What separates those who make it from those who don't is persistence."
4. DON'T take advantage of expense accounts or corporate credit-card privileges. Reports of excessive GOP-funded expenses by former vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin created a flap that may have undermined her credibility with voters.
"Never assume that because you have an important position you are entitled to over-the-top perks," Levit says. "People are watching, and you must always be mindful of their impressions -- especially in tight times. In addition to Sarah Palin, just look how the AIG executives were viewed when they attended an expensive corporate retreat in the midst of a bailout."
5. DO accept setbacks with grace; learn from them and bounce back. After being ranked the world's No. 1 male tennis player for a record 237 consecutive weeks, Roger Federer lost his standing after a tough Wimbledon defeat. He respectfully congratulated his rival, Rafael Nadal, and regrouped, later winning the U.S. Open.
"Grace and humility are solid virtues that have been underrated for a long time, but are making a big comeback," says Jerry Pico, a career coach with People and Knowledge Works Consulting. "The intrinsic values in them are that they allow you to learn from your mistakes so that you can move forward in your career and life. The extrinsic values are that they will earn you the trust and admiration of the people around you."
6. DON'T assume clients or coworkers will share your sense of humor, especially on controversial topics. David Remnick, editor of the New Yorker magazine, misread his audience and caused a furor by approving a cover cartoon that depicted the fist-bumping Obamas in terrorist-friendly garb at the White House.
"In our multicultural world, 'Think first, speak last' has got to be the new mantra," says Pat Mayfield, president of San Francisco-based Pat Mayfield Consulting. "It's not the thought that counts -- it's when you share the thought that really counts! Know that topics on sex, gender, race, politics, and religion are still considered a thin line for discussion at work."
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