History Main / BecauseImGoodAtIt

* In the ''Series/DoctorWho'' serial ''City of Death'', [[NotSoDifferent 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.

** Also used by [[Creator/JeffGoldblum Detective Nichols]] 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 a variation, [[Creator/JeffGoldblum Detective Nichols]] is an honest cop, but he's also an exceptionally talented musician who could have achieved a much more prestigious career in that field. The one time 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.

* Creator/RaymondEFeist's ''[[Literature/TheRiftwarCycle Riftwar Cycle]]'' describes [[LovebleRogue Jimmy the Hand]] thus:

** The reason Tyrion Lannister, acting Hand of the King, gives to his mistress for remaining in the DeadlyDecadentCourt of King's Landing, despite the fact that people are trying to assassinate him, he was [[NoRespectGuy stripped of power]] after his father takes over as Hand of the King and he has been denied any kind of reward for all of his hard work:

* ''VideoGame/MetalGearSolid'': At the climax, [[spoiler:Grey Fox]] laments that fighting was and is his only talent in life, but has some reconciliation in that he never sold out his beliefs and 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.

* This serves as Petra's approach to Thieves Guild work in ''FanFic/Draknophobia''.

*** [[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.]]

** Micheal 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.

** In a variation, [[Creator/JeffGoldblum Detective Nichols]] has a respectable enough job, but at one point is asked why he'd become a police officer given that he's just shown himself to be an incredibly talented musician. 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 it, and I'm good at it...and that kid is a killer.

** In a variation, [[Creator/JeffGoldblum Detective Nichols]]' introductory episode has his new partner ask him why he's a cop, given his incredible skill in music. He gives an answer along the lines of this trope, and then shows off a little skill in ''that'' area to support his statement.

-->-- '''Rust Cohle''', ''Series/TrueDetective''

Someone has a less than morally sound job, like a drug dealer, arms dealer, assassin, or [[ArsonMurderAndJaywalking 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]]. Why? Simple: [[TitleDrop because they're 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.

** In a variation, a later episode has newcomer [[Creator/JeffGoldblum Detective Nichols]]' partner ask him why he's a cop, given his incredible skill in music. 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 a later episode, [[Creator/JeffGoldblum Detective Nichols]] is asked why he's a cop, given his incredible skill in music. 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, ''Discworld/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."

'''Jon:''' [[ShellShockedVeteran I don't.]]

** In a later episode, [[Creator/JeffGoldblum Detective Nichols]] is asked why he's a cop, given his incredible skill in music. 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 a later episode, [[Creator/JeffGoldblum Detective Nichols]] is asked why he's a cop, given his incredible skill in music. He gives an answer along the lines of this trope before showing off a little skill in his chosen career as well.

** In a later episode, [[Creator/JeffGoldblum Detective Nichols]] is asked why he's a cop, given his incredible skill in music. He replies, "Because I like it, and I'm good at it...and that kid [that he was just talking to] is a killer." [[spoiler:He's right.]]

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** [[PirateGirl Isabela]] in ''VideoGame/DragonAgeII'' gives this as an excuse for her continued career as a pirate (other than simply [[FreeSpirit 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.]]

** Micheal 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]].

** Micheal De Santa of ''VideoGame/GrandTheftAutoV'' claims this is his lot in life (being a former and successful bank robber) but in actuality, [[SubvertedTrope he 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]].