Uncle Carl, who owned a chain of stores in Indiana, said it best. "Show up to work right on time and set yourself up for mediocrity. Show up 5 minutes early and you create job security; 15 minutes early and you will likely someday be in management; 30 minutes early and you will likely own the company someday."

Uncle Carl's advice is sound. How many times have you shown up early and had people waiting, or witnessed someone pulling in at quitting time, as the rest of the staff…