Cover Your Behind
You should get in the habit of documenting everything. Every conversation whether it is in person, over the phone, or via email, should be noted. Jot down who you talked to and the nature of the conversations. If you ever get into a "he said-she said" that is work related, it is best that you know exactly what was said and that you have documented it. This will also help you stay organized and it will help you create your annual reports.
You should not just document conversations but everything. You should make notes about everything that is done by you or is done for you. If you are doing research, document the process and keep the raw data. There are laws in some states where you have to keep raw data for up to seven years. If you come out with a statement, be able to support your statement with verifiable facts.
