I remember the day in 1992 when my career was propelled to an entirely new level. I was working with an entrepreneur named Leland Russell, and we were creating a multimedia keynote presentation for a company called The Health Care Forum. Basically, it was Leland's deal and I was his hired help. The Health Care Forum hired Leland because of his fantastic track record and his incredible library of great business video footage. And I was on board to help manage the gadzillion essential details.

I was working my butt off and (if I had to say so myself), doing a fine job. But my contact at The Health Care Forum, Carol, kept missing deadlines and failing to follow through on her obligations. Got the picture? I'm doing my job well and she's dropping the ball.

One month into this project I find myself in a meeting with Carol, Leland, and many of The Health Care Forum's top executives, and someone inquires as to why some of the project details are slipping through the cracks. Carol shocks the heck out of me by immediately responding to the group with, "Maybe Patrick is too inexperienced to manage this project—Patrick, no offense meant to you—but there have been details that you have let get away from you."

I couldn't believe what I was hearing. Carol was actually telling bald-faced lies to cover her butt—and blaming me for everything she didn't do. I tried, but there was no stopping her. I was a carp trying to stop a shark. I was visibly emotional and she was cool. Everyone believed her. And no one directed any questions or negativity towards Leland—even though the project's success was his responsibility also.

OK, in simple words, I'm being made into the project's scapegoat or whipping boy. Got the picture? Unfair.

For the next two weeks Carol kept attacking me and everyone believed her. I wrote memos, gave impassioned pleas, and prayed for some justice, but none of it helped.

So I found myself whining in the Lobster Room airport restaurant to Leland, who had about 20 minutes before his flight back to Irving, California. Leland was not only my work partner, but also a good friend, so I knew my whining would at least draw sympathy from him—or so I thought.

Leland stopped me halfway through the sentence, "I'm a nice and fair person and I can't believe Carol would do this to me." He cut in, "Patrick, you're missing the point here. Notice that none of them are playing games with me. They're not messing with me because I've got a power base—they think they need my talents and my assets.

They don't perceive you as having a power base, and so they, and others, will continue to mess with you as long as you're seen as replaceable."

People stop messing with you when you establish a power base—when you build something for yourself that is your own exclusive asset. Because then they need you. In order to benefit from your powers, they have to treat you right.

RRRRRRRRRRRRIIIIIIIIIIINNNNNNNNNGGGGGG! Wake up call!!

I was stunned. Up until then I thought I possessed enough skills to be perceived as irreplaceable. But suddenly I saw very clearly what Leland was saying. Currently I was just a part in the Leland Russell show. Before that I was just part in the Levi Strauss & Co. show (and they messed with me, too).

Leland caught his flight and I headed back towards my car. And while riding on the escalator I thought to myself, "I'm going to create my own show. I'm going to create a power base."

That week I decided I would become a speaker, a writer, a multimedia designer, and my own boss. Immediately, I started writing my first book. Then, as soon as The Health Care Forum project was complete, I quit and devoted 100% of my time to launching myself as a professional speaker. Within a year, I had both a publishing contract and a speaking career. And ol' Leland couldn't have been more right—no one has played stupid games with me since.

You know what got me remembering that story? A story I read this week from Art Linkletter's life. Art's career took a leap forward when he got fired from a job he held during his mid- twenties producing the 1939 World's Fair:

"I said, "Yes, I've been fired. And I'm never again going to work for anybody in my life. I'm going to be me. If I make a mistake, I'll pay for it. If I do well, I'll get the money." And from that moment on, I have never worked for anybody. I originated my own shows, I sold them myself and I booked them myself. That way, nobody could ever touch my life with that kind of power again. I had been cut off at the knees by a man who was vindictive, short-sighted, and I think kind of crazy. And that changed my life.

Within three months, after he fired me, I was making more money than he was. And I never took a backward step."

Many careers have been propelled forward because of ill treatment, lack of respect, and unfair firings. Whether you're the accused, the unnoticed, the fired, or even currently the employee, isn't it time you began building your power base? You can be your own boss—it's not that tough—nor is there much of an intellectual requirement. You can control your own career. So go ahead, start building.

• Study, enroll and practice to dramatically increase your expertise
• Create an original body of work
• Develop a portfolio of your work accomplishments
• Develop a brochure for consulting services you will start to offer on the side
• Work in a field that capitalizes on your true talents
• Be the most networked person in the company
• Take the road less traveled—pick an occupation that few select
• Quit your job and go into business for yourself. People do it every day.

Until next time, be great.

Patrick Combs is the author of Major in Success: Make College Easier, Beat The System & Get A Very Cool Job—an excellent read for anyone wanting to succeed at their greatest passion. Tons more of his writing is available free at http://www.goodthink.com. Patrick Combs is also a popular keynote speaker. To receive his FREE, Hot Tips and Inspirational Quotes, send an email to, mailto:majordomo@po.databack.com and write "SUBSCRIBE PCOMBS" in the body of the email.