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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"The apostles gathered around Jesus, and told him all that they had done and taught. He said to them, “Come away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. And they went away in the boat to a deserted place by themselves. Now many saw them going and recognized them, and they hurried there on foot from all the towns and arrived ahead of them. As he went ashore, he saw a great crowd; and he had compassion for them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things. "

— Mark 6:30-34

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