There’s your work life and then there’s your personal life.

Rarely is it wise for the two to mix and that’s unfortunate, considering how much time many of us spend at our workplaces. It is essential to know who genuinely has your back and who is simply waiting in the cut for you to slip up. Reality: Competition in the workplace is real. Unless you are 100% certain of someone’s character and motives, you may want to heed the following words of wisdom: Everybody is not your friend.

You may work together, have lunch together, laugh at each other’s jokes, but that does not mean that you are friends. Some people are just damn good pretenders. However, as many have or will come to learn, there are some really challenging situations that expose people’s true colors and the fake people in your midst eventually surface. Sometimes long after you have realized that you have entrusted far too much with the wrong person(s).

This is your life. This is your career. Pay attention.