Everyone at the top of their game has had help getting to where they are. So, while it's good to make friends at work, it's essential to make allies with influential people.

When you're in a white-collar, corporate job, your role, at a high level, is to make things easier for your boss. That's why she hired you - to solve problems and take the burden off of her. However, too many people either don't realize this or forget that this is the case, and they do things - intentionally or otherwise - that make things more difficult for their boss.

Even if you know a layoff is a business decision, not a personal one, it still hurts. For most people, their job is a big part of their identity. It’s not easy getting the rug ripped out from under you.

You know the type: No matter what they're doing, they seem to love it.  Sound familiar? If so, the feeling of falling behind this person may also feel familiar.  In fact, you can have the same joy-filled career experience. Here's how.