Summary:

1. Get up insanely early.
2. Keep promises, no matter how small.
3. Learn how to tell stories.
4. Lead, don't dictate.
5. Don't be afraid -- or embarrassed -- of your failures.
6. Ask questions. A lot of them.
7. Be honest. With yourself and others.
8. Take breaks.
9. Take notes and stay organized.

How to tell stories:

You want to be successful in life, but you don't have a job, or you're looking for a new one. The first step to nail that dream job? Learn how to tell a great story--starting with your interview.

Big companies know storytelling is the secret weapon to "branding." Why? Because people don't fall in love with data dumps and PowerPoint slides--they are moved by emotions.

And for those looking to be in charge, the best--and most memorable--way to make an impact and stick in people's minds is to ditch the small talk, and learn how to unspool meaningful narratives.

Want to get started? Here's how, straight from a master of improv.

On getting up insanely early:

It sounds scary, we know, but consider what would happen if instead of watching reruns of bad movies at night, you went to bed at a reasonable hour, thus allowing yourself to wake up early and be SUPER productive?

Waking up before anybody else allows you to work out the logistics of the day to come, track your time, and (most importantly) unplug for a few hours.

Take Paul Dejoe, who gets up at 4 a.m. (you heard that right) for maximum productivity:

What I was depriving myself from was time in the day where there was no pressure and no expectations. For the same reasons that I felt most creative on Saturday mornings and on planes, 4 a.m. has become a place of productive peace. That feeling is why I love what I do. I don't need a vacation. I don't need to step away. I just need a couple hours a day before anyone else is up.

After all, the early bird catches the worm--and much more, apparently.

Keep promises, no matter how small:

Talk is cheap and meaningful customer relationships are built on promises. Same goes for your personal life, right?

Well, maybe.

Success is built on mutually trusting relationships with just about everybody. If you say you're going to walk the office dog? Well, you'd best walk the office dog.