Eighty percent of the work is done by twenty percent of the people employed. This rule of thumb proves to be true no matter the type or size of the organization.

Common sense career advice says work your butt off to be sure you are among the top 20 who are getting the job done. That's a major step toward job security in these times of economic uncertainty.

Here are some career tips on how to be in the top 20.

Know where your job fits in the scheme of things and what is expected from you. If you and your boss haven't agreed on a clear picture of your career path, ask for directions.

Monitor and document your on-the-job performance month-by-month. Gain strength and confidence from your achievements. Learn from your mistakes.

Make sure you are receiving regular performance appraisals, so you can make mid-course corrections on your career path, and your employer recognizes the results you are producing. Assure your boss you want to assume more responsibility. Seek additional training to improve your value to your current employer and increase your chances of landing a new job if the pink slip comes.

Work with a plan that sets career goals with specific actions and timelines.

Prepare a fallback plan covering actions you would take if you were to lose your job.

Find out what challenges your boss is facing. Make his job easier, not harder. Demonstrate you are helping him to reach his career goals.

Stay up to date on what's happening with your company and the business sector in which you work.

Do more with less. Go above and beyond the call of duty. Take the initiative; come up with new ideas. Come in early, stay late.

As added insurance, refresh and extend your contacts within and outside of the organization that employs you.

Solve problems, don't create them. Don't require special attention from your boss and your co-workers.

Be a team player. Share the workload, as well as the credit.

Recognize there are no shortcuts to career success.

Don't Let Negative Nellies Block Your Career Path. There'll always be Negative Nellies who will try to distract you from maintaining your top 20 position. If you let them, they can throw you off your career path.

Here are five steps you can take to thwart the negativists who inhabit all organizations.

1. Distinguish between negativism and analytical questioning. The former is destructive; the latter is constructive.

2. Don't waste time and energy arguing with those who are habitually negative. Overlook them. Avoid gossiping and spreading rumors.

3. Act quickly and decisively to examine and reject wanton negative doubts.

4. Take action to advance your career plans when the odds are reasonably in favor of success despite those who deal in negative thoughts.

5. Avoid the company of negative thinkers. Their attitudes are contagious. Don't engage in I-told-you-so when the negative thinkers turn out to be wrong. That only invites more of the same from them.