And if you do it too much, you're bound to get caught. The problem is that it's impossible to tell just one lie. You end up having to perpetuate your myth, making it necessary to repeat the lie a dozen times. Then you'll be forced to come up with a lie to explain why you don't know where to start. And even if you do manage to perpetuate the lie, you risk appearing incompetent when you don't meet your boss's expectations.
Employers are equally guilty of lying.
When you're trying to hire a sought-after employee, it's easy to exaggerate company perks, job opportunities and earning potential. But don't fall into this trap. Similarly, don't lie to your customers. Consumers are extremely savvy nowadays and you only get one chance to impress them. If you exaggerate product claims or lie about certain benefits, people will talk.