The Amateur and The Professional

Based on Turning Pro by Steven Pressfield

The Amateur

1. The amateur is terrified.
2. The amateur is an egotist.
3. The amateur lives by the opinions of others.
4. The amateur permits fear to stop him from acting.
5. The amateur is easily distracted.
6. The amateur seeks instant gratification.
7. The amateur is jealous.
8. The amateur lacks compassion for himself.
9. The amateur seeks permission.
10. The amateur lives for the future.
11. The amateur lives in the past.
12. The amateur will be ready tomorrow.
13. The amateur gives power away to others.
14. The amateur is asleep.

The Professional

1. The professional shows up every day
2. The professional stays on the job all day
3. The professional is committed over the long haul
4. For the professional, the stakes are high and real.
5. The professional is patient.
6. The professional seeks order.
7. The professional demystifies.
8. The professional acts in the face of fear.
9. The professional accepts no excuses.
10. The professional plays it as it lays
11. The professional is prepared
12. The professional does not show off
13. The professional dedicates himself to mastering technique
14. The professional does not hesitate to ask for help.
15. The professional does not take failure or success personally.
16. The professional does not identify with his or her instrument.
17. The professional endures adversity.
18. The professional self-validates.
19. The professional reinvents himself.