BY Andy Molinsky – Forbes

Tony Robbins grew up with little means, but has had a major impact on the world. And by all accounts, his career progression has been extraordinary – touching millions of lives through his books, audio programs, and live events. I recently caught up with Tony to hear about his career trajectory and advice he has for young people just starting out in their own careers.

Andy Molinsky: What misconceptions do you think young people have about entering the professional world?

Tony Robbins: That you’re not rewarded for good intentions. You’re rewarded for delivering massive value. And now, when a lot of jobs are being automated and technology is making things happen faster than ever before, it’s even more important. The world is more competitive today than any time in history. I don’t say that to scare people but the good news is if you’re constantly adding massive value, you’re dedicated to doing more for others than anybody else, you not only don’t have to worry about technology, but more importantly, you’re going to be fulfilled because you’ll constantly be growing and giving.

Molinsky: What advice would you give to a young professional who experiences the “imposter syndrome” — the fear that they are not worthy,  and couldn’t possibly be qualified to do the job or task they’re attempting to do.

Robbins: Suffering always comes when you’re focused on yourself. Focusing on the needs of others has a way of motivating you to do more than you thought possible. When you give back to others, whether that’s your clients, your employees, or your community, you have a different kind of drive; a force that pulls you forward. So, fall in love with the lives you want to touch. If your why is strong enough, you’ll always find the resources.

Molinsky: What’s an underrated or overlooked factor you think is critical for achieving early career success?

Robbins: I wouldn’t be where I am today without the power of self-education. I don’t have any formal degrees; I didn’t go to business school but now I’m so thankful for that because standard education gets you standard results. I’ve found that the key to success is modeling the best. Find the people who’ve already achieved what you want to achieve. Study the methodology behind their success and create a similar path for yourself. One of my original mentors, Jim Rohn taught me: “Work harder on yourself than you ever do on your job or business. Because if you can become more valuable, you will produce an amazing result.”

Molinsky: Was there anything early on in your career that you didn’t necessarily anticipate being helpful, but actually has been?

Robbins: When I was 13 years old, I signed up for a speed-reading class. This course changed my life. It was there that I learned how to capture information as quickly as possible. I set a goal to read a book a day, and while I didn’t quite do that, I did read more than 700 books. I focused mostly on psychology, biographies, and personal development and I started to see patterns. I saw that the most successful people in history didn’t have the best childhoods or the most resources; they had a unique psychology, drive, hunger. This gave me the skills to empower myself and accelerate my growth. It put me on a path to become who I am today.

Molinsky: What’s your very best advice for helping a student or young professional craft a career with a strong sense of meaning and purpose?

Robbins: My best advice I tell people is don’t just find a career, find a mission. That may sound corny but somebody who has a mission isn’t in it for the money. They do it because it’s what they’re made for. For them, it’s not work, it serves a higher purpose. So find a mission, decide what you’re here to give, who you want to serve, and serve something bigger than yourself. That’s the path to ultimate fulfillment.