People always talk about reputations...
- "Regard your good name as the richest jewel you can possibly be possessed of - for credit is like fire; when once you have kindled it you may easily preserve it, but if you once extinguish it, you will find it an arduous task to rekindle it again. The way to gain a good reputation is to endeavor to be what you desire to appear." - Socrates
I'll further Socrates point by saying that one way to preserve a good reputation is not to engage in any activity where you perceive that your reputation may be damaged regardless of your performance. In IT this is critical as there is often a huge mismatch between the expectations of customers/clients and developers.