The first job I had out of college was a bartender. It wasn?t exactly my number one career choice, but I needed money (fast!) to pay for the production of my first book.

Besides, how hard could bartending be, right?

Well, let me tell you how terrible I was: in addition to such blunders as ?dropping chunks of cork into a customer?s Merlot? and ?accidentally shattering four pint glasses in front of the District Manager,? I was SO bad, that I actually had to consult the Mix Manual to find out what was in a Jack & Coke.

Which made me pretty much the worst bartender in the history of bartenders.

Still, every night I slaved away. And whether I was hurrying around trying to serve drunken customers or frustratingly scraping ABC gum off the underside of the bar, there was only one thought running through my mind:

What the hell am I doing here?! I?ve GOT to get this book done...

I lasted six weeks. (I guess the manager made his first mistake when he hired a bartender who didn?t drink!) And I remember during my exit interview, Clyde said, ?Look Scott, it?s just not working out. I?m sure you?ll go on to bigger and better things.?

He was wrong.

Two months later I started my second job out of college as a floor salesman at a discount furniture store. Worst job I ever had in my life. Complaining customers. Pain in ass boss. No money. Killed my lower back.

I lasted a year. And whether I was desperately attempting to sell a $500 loveseat to a family with three crying children or hiding in the men?s bathroom pretending to have a diarrhea so I wouldn?t have to work, there was only one thought I running through my mind:

What the hell am I doing here?! I just want to go home and check my email?

Then, in the summer of 2003, two things happened:

1) I quit my job at the furniture store.
2) I decided to pursue writing books and giving speeches full time.

Unfortunately, I learned that there is VERY little money in this industry when you first start out. Especially if:

? You?re 23 years old
? You have no work experience
? You?re just some guy who walks around wearing a nametag 24-7 to make people friendlier

So, while pursuing my writing/speaking career full time, I took a nights/weekends position as a valet parker at the Ritz Carlton.

This job wasn?t nearly as bad as bartending or slinging couches: the money was good, the networking opportunities were excellent and Ritz Carlton ended up being an awesome company to work for.

I lasted two years. (Maybe it would?ve helped if I knew how to drive stick!) Still, I sucked it up; whether I was running full speed for two straight hours during an 80-car wedding in the 105-degree heat, or standing by the lobby door until 2 AM layered in every piece of clothing I had during the biting cold of a St. Louis January.

And the funny thing is, just like every other job I?d held since college, that same thought kept running through my mind:

What the hell am I doing here?! I should be on the phones trying to book speeches?

Eventually, I couldn?t take it anymore.

I knew that every minute I?d spent mixing drinks, selling couches or parking cars was robbing me of:

? My true talent
? Chances to further my career
? Time needed to grow my business
? Opportunities to make a name for myself

So, I made a crucial decision. A decision that everyone, at some point in their career, needs to make:

Remove what robs you, embrace what excites you.

And I never looked back. Best professional decision I ever made.

Look: be fair to yourself. Be fair to your talents and gifts. Remove what robs you.

And if you ever find yourself shaking your head and saying, ?What the hell am I doing here?!?

?then you?re on the right track.

LET ME ASK YA THIS...
What job used to rob you?

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