It was here where I learned the true meaning of “hard work”.  Or perhaps it was called “slavery.”  I worked my fingers to the bone.  A 40-hour week was a rare blessing while 60-hour weeks were the norm.

Nonetheless, I learned some important lessons from that job, which without-a-doubt benefit me today.

1. How to test – The software we sold was ridiculously complex. We were constantly developing new features that required accurate and isolated tests to make sure it worked.
2. How to work efficiently – There was always so much work, that unless you learned to be quick and efficient, you’d be dead in a week.
3. Customer service – One annual license for our software costs $300,000 per year. Yes, $300k for only one person to use it for only one year.  I worked directly with the customers.  For that ticket price, they got treated like royalty.

For me, the stress generated in the cubicle lifestyle was completely unsustainable. I was burnt out in a big way. There were month-long bouts of depression where I would question if I were really cut out to succeed in this world. I distinctly remember a dreadful feeling, knowing that someday I’d have a nervous breakdown and that it was just a matter of time.

A good friend had recommended I read The Four Hour Work Week.  At that point, my fate was sealed.  I had no choice but to figure out how to escape the corporate system and make money on my own.