LPT: When given a task at work, always underpromise and overperform.

If you are given three weeks to do a project you can do in two, promise the full three weeks. If a major issue comes up, you will have the extra week to sort it all out. If everything runs smoothly, you can use the last week to go above and beyond expectations. If above and beyond isn't feasible, you still look great for turning the work around in less time than you were given.