What was your first job??

We all got started somewhere. I’m taking a brief break from fitness today to tell you my own story. I never really thought it was that noteworthy, until recently. Reply back and tell me your story, I’d love to hear it.

What was your first job??

I was a janitor, cleaning toilets, for my high school, when I was 13 years old.

I had to work that job to repay a debt...

My grades got me into an elite private Catholic high school in Silicon Valley. I don't come from any kind of pedigree or wealth, this was a first for my extended family, and my parents were right for forcing me to go. I went to Saint Francis High School.

My young working class parents couldn't afford it though, and I was awarded financial assistance. As a trade off, the financial assistance students like me worked for the school to pay off our loans. I chose janitor, others chose cafeteria, there were other paths as well.

I never thought about it much until recently, but that's quite a way to start both my high school career and my professional career. I was cleaning the literal filth from my fellow classmates...

Fortunately, my good grades persisted in high school. After working 2 years as a janitor, I was informed that I was eligible for an academic based grant from the Sobrato Family, a wealthy philanthropic family in Silicon Valley.

I ended up winning that grant, and then I didn't have to work as a janitor anymore. I've never met anyone at Sobrato Philanthropies so, if anyone over there is listening, thank you for helping out little Nathan Zaru in 2004-2005.

I can't complain about being a janitor. It teaches you a lot, especially when your wealthy classmates are strutting around the hallways completely oblivious to your side of the world.

Now 20 years later I own my own modest consulting company called Silicon Valley Creative (svc.co). It all started with me cleaning toilets.

I don't treat people differently based on where they come from or what they had (or didn't have) growing up. But I do notice that some people are undeniably willing to roll up their sleeves and clean toilets, regardless of their background.

I know rich people from elite backgrounds that will happily clean those toilets. I know average people with no pedigree who turn their nose up at the toilet cleaners.

I think it's tremendously awesome that we can choose our own attitude and perspective in this world. Might as well choose a good one.

[This post is not about toilets]