The Professional

Leave a Comment / By Paul Hughes / January 22, 2017

shows up every day
stays on the job all day
commits to the long haul
sets the stakes high, sees they’re real
is patient
seeks order
demystifies
acts in the face of fear
accepts no excuses
plays it as it lays
is prepared
doesn’t show off
masters technique
asks for help
doesn’t take failure — or success — personally
doesn’t identify with his or her instrument
endures adversity
self-validates
reinvents herself
is known by other professionals
is courageous in sacrifice — enduring criticism, blame, envy
works while others tweet
is ruthless with himself, and compassionate; no perfectionism
lives in the present
defers gratification
doesn’t wait for inspiration
doesn’t give his power away
helps others
is neither groupie nor icon
doesn’t seek the praise of the praised or proximity to the powerful or famous

— Steven Pressfield, from Turning Pro, page 90

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Don’t talk steer

The Professional

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

Recent

No Prizes for Subtlety

Can We Tawk?

Hide and See

Greater Love Blah Blah Blah

Random

The Adult Test

All Hat No Cattle

Missing Dinner

Kim Possible

Related

The Adult Test

Talks With A Duck

On Real

What Price Anger

Tebow

Throwing Stones

"Writing saved me from the sin and inconvenience of violence. "