At this point, millions of people have heard about  Professor Randy Pausch's battle with pancreatic cancer and his inspiring  "Last Lecture". In it he gives us seven life lessons:

1. Always have fun
2. Dream big
3. Ask for what you want
4. Dare to take a risk
5. Look for the best in everybody
6. Make time for what matters
7. Let kids be themselves

Many of these lessons can be applied equally well to those of us looking for career advancement, especially asking for what you want. This career strategy is often overlooked. We assume that our work speaks for itself and that senior management will think of us when looking to staff the next big project. The truth is that your work may not be visible to the person making the decision. If you haven't told your boss that you would like a challenge, he or she may think that you are happy with your current assignment. I've found that even when you are not the first choice, the very act of asking for the job raises your career capital and puts you in consideration for future assignments.