History Main / BecauseImGoodAtIt

* ''Webcomi/NightAndDay'': [[PlayedWith A heroic example]]. Mira wants to fight monsters because she wants to help people, but also because there is quite literally ''nothing'' else she's good at. She's a self-described idiot (and nobody contradicts her on that), her social skills are nonexistent, she has no particular talents at anything, and she has a massive inferiority complex due to all this. In fact, Kei noting that she did well during training was the first praise she could ever remember receiving.

''Neil [=McCauley=]:''' Neither do I.\\

* ''Webcomic/{{Sarilho}}'': This is how Nikita justifies his commitment to the army.

* ''Film/{{DEBS}}'' is about a lesbian DatingCatwoman relationship between TeenSuperspy Amy and supervillain Lucy Diamond. When Lucy asks why she's a spy, Amy says you should do what you're good at (Amy is TheAce in all her tests at the SpySchool), to the annoyance of Lucy who believes that you should do what you want to do.

* Ruki of ''Manga/ComicGirls'' originally wished to be a manga artist for children's manga, since she is fond of drawing animals. However, her editors felt that her art style was too sensual for children and more appropriate for {{josei}} romance, and with support from fans, decided to continue.
* The eponymous protagonist of ''Manga/HappyKanakosKillerLife'' accidentally stumbles into applying for an [[MurderInc assassination agency]] after quitting her old job. Her conscience initially feels nervous about the job and only takes solace in her first targets being {{Asshole Victim}}s like the BadBoss from her last job. Then she turns out to be an InstantExpert at murder and the praise and benefits she gets for her work does wonders for her HeroicSelfDeprecation, so she stays at the agency and eventually dreads the prospect of losing her job there.
* ''Manga/YurikasCampusLife'': Yurika considers herself perfectly straight, and would prefer to have a boyfriend. But she's ''good'' at seducing rich women, and it's really the only way for her to cover her living expenses...

* ''ComicBook/LobsterRandom'' claims to be a professional torturer because he's good at it, understands it and can't do anything else.
* [[{{Comicbook/Nexus}} Nexus]] spent most of his career bitterly miserable that a SufficientlyAdvanced alien was compelling him to travel the universe executing mass murderers. The oppressed cheered him for it and tyrants loathed him for it, but Horatio himself just wanted to stop killing people. When, after years, he ''finally'' gets his wish--the above-mentioned alien agrees to leave him alone, and another member of the alien's race agrees to maintain his super-powers--Horatio realizes that he's spent his entire adult life doing this, and executing murderers is the only thing he knows how to ''do.''

* ''Fanfic/SanzaSalazarSaga'': This is one of the reasons Sanza continues to put on the Red X suit and remain a thief even after working with the Titans so much.

* {{Subverted}} by Peter Wiggin of ''Literature/EndersGame'', who once identifies his greatest gift as seeing the flaws in a system and bringing it down without even trying. He ''does'' do this, but he combines it with a much harder-won talent for building a better system out of the ashes to achieve world peace.

Even so, he had amassed millions of dollars: A staggering amount of money in the 20's and 30's that would let him and his family live in comfort for the rest of their days. Instead, he tried to form an alliance with Maranzano, the kingpin of New York. Maranzano refused, beginning the Castellammarese War that ended up Vito as the undisputed head of New York's underworld. Vito had made his fortune without stepping on anyone's toes and had sworn that his children wouldn't have to follow in his footsteps.\\

** This is also why Michael stays with gangstering later books. He keeps insisting he's somewhat ashamed of the family history and keeps wanting to go legit and "they're always pulling him back in", but the fact is he's really good as a ruthless criminal mastermind.

* Fisk, in the ''Literature/KnightAndRogueSeries'' is a good-hearted fellow who got into the con business to try and support his sisters, and since he's such a natural at coming up with unbelievable bull on the spot, kept with it. Until he got saddled with Michael, that is, and he still gets away with plenty of well woven lies and card tricks.

* Literature/{{Spenser}} muses on this sometimes. For the most part, he sees violence as a byproduct of his job as a PI, but is also aware that part of the reason he picked this as his work is because underneath his DeadpanSnarker and GeniusBruiser personality, he is deeply violent, and this kind of job allows him to channel his violent impulses in a useful direction.

** Also used by Detective Nichols (Creator/JeffGoldblum) in his introductory episode. In his case, there's nothing really ''wrong'' with the work he does, as he's an honest cop, but he's also an exceptionally talented musician who could have had a much more prestigious career in music. After he gives a demonstration of his musical abilities as part of a case (using it to connect with the suspect as that person is also a musician), Wheeler asks him why he became a cop with that kind of musical skill, and he gives an answer along the lines of this trope, and then shows off a little skill in ''that'' area to support his statement.

* Boxer "Aussie Joe" Bugner's feats include going 12 rounds against Ali and Frazier and staging a surprisingly successful comeback in his middle age, but after his second retirement he admitted he never really enjoyed boxing.
* During his Hall of Fame induction speech, former NFL running-back Curtis Martin admitted that he never particularly liked football. He only took up the sport because he saw it as his best option to get him out of his crime ridden neighborhood in Pittsburgh.

*** His partner, Trevor Phillips, uses similar rational, being a failed athlete (like Michael) and having been booted from the military due to his mental instability. Unlike Michael, who at least vocally bemoans the fact, [[EvilFeelsGood Trevor revels in finally having found something he can excel at, and is quite proud of it]].

** The plight of those who are natural soldiers versus the concept of peace is one of the oldest and most important themes in the series. Solid Snake is loath to admit it even under the most excruciating duress, but he loves battle, and while his enemies often seek the proliferation of worldwide conflict for the benefit of natural-born soldiers like himself, he has a selfless moral instinct which forces him to stop them at any cost. In a meta sense, we as players participate in this contradiction by playing the games because we enjoy and pay for simulated violence, yet portray characters who strive to prevent conflicts. The secondary plot line of the series follows the journey of his father, Big Boss, which sees him face the same quandary yet reach a completely different conclusion, choosing to fight because it's all he really has in his life and can't see any other alternative, nor does he think he needs a reason like following orders or wanting to stop the bad guys. However, [[ExpansionPackPast the prequels have added additional, increasingly nebulous reasons for Big Boss's actions]].

Someone has a less-than-morally sound job-- a thief, a drug dealer, an assassin, or [[ArsonMurderAndJaywalking a lobbyist]]. They usually got into the job to make ends meet, especially if the work is illegal, and they might even hate it. But when they become financially sound or get the opportunity for a better job, [[ShouldntYouStopStealing they refuse to stop]]. When asked why, they give a simple answer: "Because I'm good at it." The fulfillment of being competent has surpassed the fulfillments of being a good person or enjoying your work.

** [[PlayerCharacter Niko Bellic]] of ''VideoGame/GrandTheftAutoIV'' fame tells his cousin Roman that, although he'd like to settle down and live a normal lifestyle, his only skills are criminal.
** He even says this trope ''verbatim'' to United Liberty Paper Agent when the Agent, with genuine curiosity, asks why he's still bringing himself to trouble by allying himself with notorious crime families.
*** [[spoiler:If the EasterEgg in ''V'' is to be believed, he eventually grew out of this mindset after the game's [[BittersweetEnding end]][[DownerEnding ing]] and has utterly abandoned his criminal lifestyle in order to go fully legit, and now works at Roman's cab company.]]
** Michael De Santa of ''VideoGame/GrandTheftAutoV'' claims this is his lot in life (being a former and successful bank robber) [[SubvertedTrope but in actuality]], he [[ThrillSeeker craves an action-filled lifestyle to tear him away from the drudgery of upper class living]] and will find any excuse to justify his behavior.
** His partner, Trevor Phillips, uses similar rational, being a failed athlete (like Michael) and having been booted from the military due to his mental instability. Unlike Michael, who at least vocally bemoans the fact, [[EvilFeelsGood Trevor revels in finally having found something he can excel at, and is quite proud of it.]]
* ''Franchise/{{Hitman}}'' Agent 47 attempts to retire after the first game... but it doesn't last. The second game is essentially him coming to the realization that, being literally bred to be a ProfessionalKiller, that's all he ''knows'', and he can't live away from it any more than a fish can live away from water.

* ''VideoGame/MetalGearSolid'': At the climax, [[spoiler:Grey Fox]] laments that fighting was and is his only talent in life, but takes some consolation from the fact that he never sold out his beliefs or fought for a cause he felt was unworthy. This is a deliberate, non-callous comparison to Solid Snake at this point in the series, who is an even more gifted warrior yet has always blindly followed orders without philosophy.
** The plight of those who are natural soldiers versus the concept of peace is one of the oldest and most important themes in the series. Solid Snake is loath to admit it even under the most excruciating duress, but he loves battle, and while his enemies often seek the proliferation of worldwide conflict for the benefit of natural-born soldiers like himself, he has a selfless moral instinct which forces him to stop them at any cost. In a meta sense we as players participate in this contradiction by playing the games because we enjoy and pay for simulated violence, yet portray characters who strive to prevent conflicts. The secondary plot line of the series follows the journey of his father, Big Boss, which sees him face the same quandary yet reach a completely different conclusion, choosing to fight because it's all he really has in his life and can't see any other alternative, nor does he think he needs a reason like following orders or wanting to stop the bad guys.
*** [[ExpansionPackPast Though the prequels have added additional, increasingly nebulous reasons for Big Boss's actions.]]

[[folder:Web Comics]]
* Belkar from ''Webcomic/TheOrderOfTheStick'' admits that "hurting people is the only thing I'm good at." Most of the time he doesn't have a problem with that. [[ReluctantPsycho Most of the time.]]
* ''{{Webcomic/Sarilho}}'': How Nikita justifies his commitment to the army.

* ComicBook/{{Wolverine}} has a whole CatchPhrase about this, in reference to his outstanding skills at, well, killing people:

* ''ComicBook/TheIncredibleHulk'': Occasionally Bruce Banner is called out on the fact that, despite having an intellect on par with Reed Richards or Tony Stark, before becoming the Hulk he devoted his life to making bombs. His explanation? He was good at it. And indeed, he made the most destructive bomb ever; one that never stops exploding. [[PersonOfMassDestruction The Hulk.]]

* ''FanFic/ABrighterDark'': Hans' justification for being a horrific rapist and murderer is because it's the only thing he's good at, and he just happens to have a lot of fun while doing it. [[LeaningOnTheFourthWall Sometimes he feels like the only purpose of his existence was to kill people and be hated for it.]] Comes off more sympathetically than it sounds.
* In ''Fanfic/ForumOfThrones'', this is one of the Burned Man's reasons for remaining in Oldtown even after it got so dangerous for him and despite Harpy's wishes. As a cripple, he simply has no other opportunity to affect the lives of others.

%%* This serves as Petra's approach to Thieves Guild work in ''FanFic/Draknophobia''.
* ''FanFic/GitSSACTheCollectiveUnconscious'': Part of the reason Motoko returns to Section 9 after resigning; she feels that she truly belongs there.

[[folder:Film]]
* ''Film/ThankYouForSmoking'': Nick Naylor is a lobbyist for tobacco companies and invokes the trope by name in the movie (and the book?). He even associates with similar lobbyists (NRA and the alcohol lobbies) and discusses strategies and a viewer can tell that these people take pride in their work (at one point they're deeply insulted when Nick declares that only he would be hunted down by vigilantes for what he does). Later on, the Marlboro Man calls him out on it:
-->"I was always good at killing VC, but I didn't make a career of it."
* Yuri Orlov from ''Film/LordOfWar'' is an illegal arms dealer who has several reasons to quit - his wife threatening to leave him, a Interpol agent dogging him, and building a successful lumber export company, but goes back to arms dealing because, at the end of the day, it is what he's good at.

--> '''Neil [=McCauley=]:''' I do what I do best, I take scores. You do what you do best, try to stop guys like me.
--> [...]
--> '''Vincent Hanna:''' I don't know how to do anything else.
--> '''Neil [=McCauley=]:''' Neither do I.
--> '''Vincent Hanna:''' I don't much want to either.
--> '''Neil [=McCauley=]:''' Neither do I.
* Film/{{Elektra}} gives this as the reason for being an assassin when Abby asks.
-->'''Abby:''' That's messed up.
* ''Film/{{DEBS}}'' is about a lesbian DatingCatwoman relationship between TeenSuperspy Amy and supervillain Lucy Diamond. When Lucy asks why she's a spy, Amy says you should do what you're good at (Amy is TheAce in all her tests at the SpySchool), to the annoyance of Lucy who believes that you should do what you want to do.

* Creator/RaymondEFeist's ''[[Literature/TheRiftwarCycle Riftwar Cycle]]'' describes [[LovableRogue Jimmy the Hand]] thus:
-->He took no pleasure in being a thief, but he took great pleasure in being a very good thief.
* ''Literature/HonorHarrington'': Honor does what she does because she's "better at it than most other people" (almost direct quote from the book). Given as what she does is lead fleets into battle, and almost always wins, it might count. It's clear that she doesn't like it, just that she's very capable. She might not like the idea of killing hundreds of people on both sides in her actions, but even she admits at times that she enjoys the thrill of battle, especially if her target is someone [[ItsPersonal who]] [[MoralEventHorizon deserves it]]. Her own husband thinks of her as the Handmaiden of Death.
* In ''The Lies of Locke Lamora'', the Literature/{{Gentleman Bastard}}s don't do anything with the huge amounts of money they acquire from their long cons. It just sits there. But they are ''excellent'' thieves, so why would they give up?

\\

\\
With such a fortune and his own wits, there were any number of legal businesses and ventures he could have undertaken. However, the book suggests that once Sonny and Fredo were part of his business, he had to continue on the path he's chosen. Not only because he was so good at it, but because his two oldest sons were not good at anything else. Left on their own, with no supervision or protection, no real skills or education, and a criminal mindset, Vito felt they would both be dead within a year.\\
\\
This is also why Michael stays with gangstering later books. He keeps insisting he's somewhat ashamed of the family history and keeps wanting to go legit and "they're always pulling him back in", but the fact is he's really good as a ruthless criminal mastermind.
* In the ''Literature/{{Discworld}}'' novel, ''Literature/TheColourOfMagic'', there's a master architect, Goldeneyes Silverhand Dactylos. His backstory consists of him inventing marvels for various royals, only for his employers to [[ShootTheBuilder mutilate him so that he couldn't repeat the invention]] for anyone else. When his latest employer asks why he didn't just give it all up and try lettuce farming, he replies "I'm good at it."
** [[spoiler: And is promptly killed.]]

* Li Kao from ''Literature/BridgeOfBirds'' is an inversion. Born to a pair of cons, he already had a natural talent for stealing. However, he also proved to be the smartest man in China, and when he grew up, he found that a life of crime was so easy it was ''boring''. Solving crime, however, was a much more interesting challenge, and he chose to do so for the rest of his life instead.

* [[Literature/BelisariusSeries Belisarius]] doesn't particularly like being a soldier, but he's the best that the Romans have got, and he knows that the empire needs him as a general. Even if some days, he'd really rather have been a blacksmith...
* {{Subverted}} by Peter Wiggin of ''Literature/EndersGame'', who once identifies his greatest gift as seeing the flaws in a system and bringing it down without even trying. He ''does'' do this, but he combines it with a much harder-won talent for building a better system out of the ashes to achieve world peace.
* This is common among skilled warriors in ''Literature/TheFirstLaw'' novels. A common character type in the books is the jaded veteran who thinks that WarIsHell and that BeingEvilSucks, but what can you do when killing people is the only thing that you're any good at?

* Nancy Botwin from ''Series/{{Weeds}}'' is much the same in her career as a marijuana dealer, or at least she thinks she is.

* ''Series/LawAndOrderCriminalIntent'': One episode featured a handwriting expert who used his skills for nefarious purposes, "because I'm brilliant at what I do!". The expert was played by one Creator/StephenColbert.
** Also used by Detective Nichols (Creator/JeffGoldblum) in his introductory episode. In his case, there's nothing really ''wrong'' with the work he does, as he's an honest cop, but he's also an exceptionally talented musician who could have had a much more prestigious career in music. After he gives a demonstration of his musical abilities as part of a case (using it to connect with the suspect as that person is also a musician), Wheeler asks him why he became a cop with that kind of musical skill, and he gives an answer along the lines of this trope, and then shows off a little skill in ''that'' area to support his statement.
--->'''Nichols:''' I like [being a cop], and I'm good at it...and that kid is a killer.

-->'''Walt:''' Skyler. All the things that I did, you need to understand–
-->'''Skyler:''' If I have to hear, one more time, that you did this for the family–
-->'''Walt:''' [[spoiler:I did it for me. I liked it. I was good at it. And I was really...I was alive.]]

--->'''Romana''': I don't think we should interfere.
--->'''The Doctor''': Interfere! Of course we should interfere. Always do what you're best at, that's what I say.

* In ''Series/OrangeIsTheNewBlack'', the inverse of this is the reason given for Alex seriously contemplating going back to dealing drugs after getting out of prison - she doesn't know how to do anything else.

* ''VideoGame/MetalGearSolid'': At the climax, [[spoiler:Grey Fox]] laments that fighting was and is his only talent in life, but takes some consolation from the fact that he never sold out his beliefs or fought for a cause he felt was unworthy. This is a deliberate, non-callous comparison to Solid Snake at this point in the series, who is an even more gifted warrior yet has always blindly followed orders without philosophy.
** The plight of those who are natural soldiers versus the concept of peace is one of the oldest and most important themes in the series. Solid Snake is loath to admit it even under the most excruciating duress, but he loves battle, and while his enemies often seek the proliferation of worldwide conflict for the benefit of natural-born soldiers like himself, he has a selfless moral instinct which forces him to stop them at any cost. In a meta sense we as players participate in this contradiction by playing the games because we enjoy and pay for simulated violence, yet portray characters who strive to prevent conflicts. The secondary plot line of the series follows the journey of his father, Big Boss, which sees him face the same quandary yet reach a completely different conclusion, choosing to fight because it's all he really has in his life and can't see any other alternative, nor does he think he needs a reason like following orders or wanting to stop the bad guys.
*** [[ExpansionPackPast Though the prequels have added additional, increasingly nebulous reasons for Big Boss's actions.]]

* [[PlayerCharacter Niko Bellic]] of ''VideoGame/GrandTheftAutoIV'' fame tells his cousin Roman that, although he'd like to settle down and live a normal lifestyle, his only skills are criminal.

*** [[spoiler: If the EasterEgg in ''V'' is to be believed, he eventually grew out of this mindset after the game's [[BittersweetEnding end]][[DownerEnding ing]] and has utterly abandoned his criminal lifestyle in order to go fully legit, and now works at Roman's cab company.]]

* When asked why she became a [[HardboiledDetective private detective]], Petra from ''VideoGame/EmeraldCityConfidential'' responds that she took on the job because she was good at it. To be fair, she also has the option to justify her work by saying that she wants to [[WeHelpTheHelpless help the helpless.]]

* In ''Videogame/BorderlandsThePreSequel'', Wilhelm's entire background and motivation are summed up as "As a kid/teenager, I was good at fights." Note that this is NotHyperbole. You can find logs from his attempt at getting an autobiography where his childhood and teenage years are literally summed up as "I was good at fights."
* Zelos, protagonist of ''VideoGame/BlazingSouls'', is a [[BountyHunter mercenary]]/[[ProfessionalKiller hitman]], as it's the only thing he knows he can efficiently do thanks to his own LackOfEmpathy.
* ''VideoGame/FireEmblemAwakening'': In the Harvest Scramble DLC, Gaius reveals to Libra that his offscreen contributions to the Shepherds involve sneaking into enemy camps, spying, sabotaging, and occasionally assassinating when the situation calls for it. He knows it's DirtyBusiness, but because it increases the odds of survival for the other Shepherds, and because he's the best at it out of all of them, he'll do it without a complaint.
* [[Franchise/{{Hitman}} Agent 47]] attempts to retire after the first game... but it doesn't last. The second game is essentially him coming to the realization that, being literally bred to be a ProfessionalKiller, that's all he ''knows'', and he can't live away from it any more than a fish can live away from water.

* Belkar from ''Webcomic/TheOrderOfTheStick'' admits that "hurting people is the only thing I'm good at." Most of the time he doesn't have a problem with that. [[ReluctantPsycho Most of the time.]]

* In ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons'', Krusty the Clown once manages to refresh his comedian routine by starting to complain cynically about the modern world, and becomes popular as a stand-up act again. Soon, however, he's once again persuaded to start endorsing a product even in his act in the middle of complaining about everything else, immediately losing his credibility. He doesn't regret it, though, because as he explains he's realised his real talent isn't comedy - it's selling out.
* ''WesternAnimation/XiaolinShowdown'': Jack Spicer quits being evil only to turn back again when he is afraid he'll actually be ''worse'' at being good than he was at being bad. Ironic, given [[RedemptionPromotion he was much better at being a good guy]].

-->'''[=BoJack=]''': Does any of it matter? Why are you an agent at all if it makes you so miserable?
-->'''Princess Carolyn:''' Because I'm good at it. I mean, stuff hasn't been hitting lately. But, usually, I'm really good at it.
-->'''[=BoJack=]''': Just 'cause you're good at something doesn't mean you have to do it. I'm good at driving sober, but I don't relish the opportunity.

* The titular protagonist of ''Manga/HappyKanakosKillerLife'' accidentally stumbles into applying for an [[MurderInc assassination agency]] after quitting her old job. Her conscience initially feels nervous about the job and only takes solace in being able to KickTheSonOfABitch because her first targets are {{Asshole Victim}}s like the BadBoss from her last job. Then she turns out to be an InstantExpert at murder and the praise and benefits she gets for her work does wonders for her HeroicSelfDeprecation, so she stays at the agency and eventually dreads the prospect of losing her job there.

Someone has a less-than-morally sound job-- a thief, a drug dealer, an assassin, or [[ArsonMurderAndJaywalking a lobbyist]]. They usually get into the job to make ends meet, especially if the job is illegal, but when they become financially sound or even get the opportunity for a better job, [[ShouldntYouStopStealing they refuse to stop]]. When asked why, they give a simple answer: "because I'm good at it". The fulfillment of being competent has surpassed the fulfillment of being a good person or having a good public image.

* This is common among skilled warriors in ''Literature/TheFirstLaw'' novels. A common character type in the books is the jaded veteran who thinks that WarIsHell and that BeingEvilSucks, but what can you do when killing people is really the only thing that you're any good at?

** Subverted in "The Queens Justice"

* During his Hall of Fame induction speech, former NFL running back Curtis Martin admitted that he never particularly liked football. He only took up the sport because he saw it as his best option to get him out of his crime ridden neighborhood in Pittsburgh.

** [[LatinLover Zevran]] from ''VideoGame/DragonAgeOrigins'' notes that even if he wanted to be anything other than an assassin, [[SociopathicHero which]] [[AntiHero he]] [[AffablyEvil doesn't]], he has been doing this work all his life and doesn't know how to do anything else. Well, nothing else that wouldn't get him arrested for performing in public.
** [[PirateGirl Isabela]] in ''VideoGame/DragonAgeII'' gives this as an excuse for her continued career as a pirate (other than simply enjoying the freedom that comes with it), though other characters have pointed out that her skills could easily be put to use doing something else, and unlike [[DistaffCounterpart Zevran]], she ''chose'' to become a pirate and there's no one threatening to hunt her down if she quits ([[spoiler:Castillion comes close, but he really only cares about the tome she stole, not what she does with her life afterwards]]). One could make the case that this actually makes her come off as much more selfish, given how easily she can ignore the people her actions hurt. [[spoiler:The Qunari incident perfectly demonstrates what happens when this tendency reaches its zenith, leaving ''several hundred people dead'' because of her, yet it also marks the point where she starts to go through a bit of CharacterDevelopment. Provided she [[YouLoseAtZeroTrust has a good enough relationship]] with [[TheHero Hawke]] and doesn't [[SoLongAndThanksForAllTheGear run off]] first.]]

Someone has a less-than-morally sound job--a drug dealer, an arms dealer, an assassin, or [[ArsonMurderAndJaywalking a lobbyist]]. They usually get into the job to make ends meet, especially if the job is illegal, but when they become financially sound or even get a legal job, [[ShouldntYouStopStealing they refuse to stop]]. When asked why, they give a simple answer: "[[TitleDrop because I'm good at it]]". The fulfillment of being competent has surpassed the fulfillment of being a "good person". That, or they're willing (if in a legal job, like lobbyists) to let their job damage their personal lives and public facade for the simple reason of competence.

See also DoWrongRight and PunchClockVillain. Compare EvilVirtues and ChronicVillainy. Contrast ReluctantWarrior, who fights because he ''has'' to...with "being good at it" an independant variable. Many characters who choose to be JustAGangster do so because crime is the only thing they're good at.

* Thief from ''Webcomic/EightBitTheater'' originally took up stealing in order to pay for his father's medicine, then kept stealing even after the situation was resolved. Then again, he's a protagonist from ''Webcomic/EightBitTheater'', and he's an elf from that comic. Screwing other people over is what those two groups do best.

* In the ''Series/DoctorWho'' serial ''City of Death'', the Fourth Doctor and Professor Kerensky debate the ethics of messing with time, and the Doctor replies, "Well, I'm a professional; I know what I'm doing." Then again, the Time Lords ''are'' professional time-travelers who make sure that the timeline doesn't get too screwed-up.
** This exchange between the Doctor and Romana in "Nightmare in Eden":

** Also used by Detective Nichols (Creator/JeffGoldblum) in his introductory episode. In his case, there's nothing really ''wrong'' with the work he does, as he's an honest cop, but he's also an exceptionally talented musician who could have had a much more prestigious career in music. After he gives a demonstration of his musical abilities as part of a case (trying to connect with the suspect who is also a musician), Wheeler asks him why he became a cop with that kind of musical skill, and he gives an answer along the lines of this trope, and then shows off a little skill in ''that'' area to support his statement.

** Also used by Detective Nichols (Creator/JeffGoldblum) in his introductory episode; in his case, there's nothing really ''wrong'' with the work he does, as he's an honest cop, but he's also an exceptionally talented musician who could have had a much more prestigious career in music. When Wheeler, following him giving a demonstration, asks him why he became a cop with that kind of musical skill, he gives an answer along the lines of this trope, and then shows off a little skill in ''that'' area to support his statement.

* Occasionally [[ComicBook/IncredibleHulk Bruce Banner]] is called out on the fact that, despite having an intellect on par with Reed Richards or Tony Stark, before becoming the Hulk he devoted his life to making bombs. His explanation? He was good at it. And indeed, he made the most destructive bomb ever; one that never stops exploding. [[PersonOfMassDestruction The Hulk.]]

* This is pretty much Dr. Girlfriend/Dr. Mrs. The Monarch's entire rationale for choosing to be a [[NumberTwo #2]] on ''WesternAnimation/TheVentureBros'' She certainly has the smarts and talent to become a supervillain, but isn't cruel, nefarious, theatrical, or ambitious enough to want to be an Arch herself. However, her cleverness, pragmatism, and refusal to pick up the VillainBall all make her a formidable baddie in her own right, but an ''indispensable'' #2 for The Monarch (who, as an Arch, is expected to let his supervillainy go to his head now and then) who helps to keep his diabolical schemes grounded and feasible.

* This is pretty much Dr. Girlfriend/Dr. Mrs. The Monarch's entire rationale for choosing to be a [[NumberTwo #2]] on ''WesternAnimation/TheVentureBros'' She certainly has the smarts and talent to become a supervillain, but isn't cruel, nefarious, or ambitious enough to want to be an Arch herself. However, her cleverness, pragmatism, and refusal to pick up the VillainBall all make her a formidable baddie in her own right, but an ''indispensable'' #2 for The Monarch (who, as an Arch, is expected to let his supervillainy go to his head now and then).

* This is pretty much Dr. Girlfriend/Dr. Mrs. The Monarch's entire rationale for choosing to be a [[NumberTwo #2]] on ''WesternAnimation/TheVentureBros''. She certainly has the smarts and talent for supervillainy, but isn't cruel, nefarious, or ambitious enough to want to be an Arch herself. However, her cleverness, pragmatism, and refusal to pick up the VillainBall all make her a formidable baddie in her own right and indispensable #2 for The Monarch (who, as an Arch, is expected to let his supervillainy go to his head now and then).

* This is pretty much Dr. Girlfriend/Dr. Mrs. The Monarch's entire rationale for choosing to be a #2 (a co-supervillain) on ''WesternAnimation/TheVentureBros''. She certainly has the talent for it, but isn't cruel, nefarious, or ambitious enough to be an Arch (primary supervillain) herself. However, her cleverness, pragmatism, and refusal to pick up the VillainBall all make her a formidable villain in her own right and indispensable #2 for The Monarch (who, as an Arch, is expected to let his supervillainy go to his head now and then).

* [Franchise/{{Hitman}} Agent 47]] attempts to retire after the first game... but it doesn't last. The second game is essentially him coming to the realization that, being literally bred to be a ProfessionalKiller, that's all he ''knows'', and he can't live away from it any more than a fish can live away from water.

** Also used by Detective Nichols (Creator/JeffGoldblum) in his introductory episode; in his case, there's nothing really ''wrong'' with the work he does, as he's an honest cop, but he's also an exceptionally talented musician who could have had a much more prestigious career in music. When he's asked about this, he gives an answer along the lines of this trope, and then shows off a little skill in ''that'' area to support his statement.

* In the ''Literature/{{Discworld}}'' novel, ''Literature/TheColourOfMagic'', there's a master architect, Goldeneyes Silverhand Dactylos. His backstory consists of him inventing marvels for various royals, only for his employers to mutilate him so that he couldn't repeat the invention for anyone else. When his latest employer asks why he didn't just give it all up and try flower arranging, he replies "I'm good at it."

* The titular protagonist of ''Manga/KanakosLifeAsAnAssassin'' accidentally stumbles into applying for an [[MurderInc assassination agency]] after quitting her old job. Her conscience initially feels nervous about the job and only takes solace in being able to KickTheSonOfABitch because her first targets are {{Asshole Victim}}s like the BadBoss from her last job. Then she turns out to be an InstantExpert at murder and the praise and benefits she gets for her work does wonders for her HeroicSelfDeprecation, so she stays at the agency and eventually dreads the prospect of losing her job there.

** Implied to be the reason why [[PlayerCharacter Hawke]] prefers to work outside the law as a PartTimeHero, instead of getting an actual job or position of authority in Kirkwall. Similarly, why they continue to perform [[AlmightyJanitor odd jobs]] for people around the city, even after becoming independently wealthy.