“Aspiring artists defeated by Resistance share one trait. They all think like amateurs. They have not yet turned pro.”
Steven Pressfield, The War of Art
In Steven Pressfield’s book, The War of Art, he states resistance is procrastination; something we’ve all dealt with. It’s putting things off, and not getting our work done.
It’s also the thing that separates amateurs from professionals.
I can say absolutely, that the term of my life can be divided into two parts:
Before turning pro, and after.
With one stroke, everything changes.
Amateur vs. Professional
To be clear, when I say professional, I mean the professional as an ideal. Professional, in contrast to the amateur.
What’s the difference?
The amateur is somebody who is part-time. It is someone who takes on a new skill or hobby, perhaps even a side job, and does it for fun or a bit of extra income. They fit in their new endeavor when it’s convenient, and it usually fades away after some time.
The professional is full-time.
The amateur is a weekend warrior; the professional is there seven days a week, committing to their goal every day, without fail.
Stepping into the Professional Arena
This doesn’t mean that the professional is grinding 24 hours a day, neglecting relationships and other areas of their life.
Because as a professional, you commit to getting your work done when you say you’re going to get it done, in the time you allot yourself.
Professionals know how to stick to their calendar, and are disciplined enough to overcome resistance. They also give themselves time for the people and things that are most important to them. They work to meet their goals AND have time for meaningful relationships in their lives.
They are disciplined AND make time for fun.
The professionals are always being. Because they are always committed to doing exactly what they say they’re going to do.
Amateurs are waiting for somebody or something else to change their circumstances.
Professionals know that they are the only person that can change their life.