Are you a pro?
I don’t mean are you getting paid for the work you do. That has nothing to do with it. I mean, have you decided to be a pro?
In his new book Turning Pro, Steven Pressfield argues that we each face this decision daily. I’m not going to quote the book. You simply need to read it. All of it. In context. It’s really great, and I’m not hyping. It’s so to the point that it evoked tears. I simultaneously wanted to cheer Steven on and kick his ass for being so brilliant.
I spent much of my life as a paid amateur. I was doing what I needed to do to get the work done, but I was secretly waiting for someone to come along and “pick” me. I was saving myself for a marriage that would never arrive, while unwittingly giving myself over to anyone who came along. I worked hard, but I wasn’t a pro. I was auditing my own life. I was a ghost.
In short, I lacked grit. I hadn’t yet developed the “you will have to pry this work from my cold, dead hands” mindset to which I now aspire everyday. My resolve wasn’t yet steeled.
I remember the day it flipped. I went pro. I decided that I was going to do whatever it took to get my work out each day, and to develop my mind for wherever life led. The change was subtle, but it was marked by three little words that I swear are inscribed somewhere on the inside of my cerebral cortex: “Here I Stand”.
Against the turmoil, here I stand.
Against the critics, here I stand.
Against the scoffers and cynics, here I stand.
Against my own fear, here I stand.
Against exhaustion, pettiness, and excuses, here I stand.
Against compromise and short-cuts, here I stand.
Agains the seductive love of comfort, here I stand.
Here I stand, and neither your words, nor your threats will move me. I am a pro, and while I may not always produce great work, I produce, so deal with it.
If you want to be a pro, then be one. If you want to ghost your own life, then do it, but don’t waste everyone else’s energy by lobbing cynicism grenades based on your own fear of inadequacy.
Life is short. It’s the one you have, friends. Tick tock. Turn pro.
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So here’s the deal. Steven kindly sent me a few copies of [amazon_link id=”B0087TUM54″ target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Turning Pro[/amazon_link], and I’d like to give them away. To enter, simply:
(1) Leave a comment on this post with a one sentence response that goes something like this:
“I turned pro the day I ____.” or “I’m turning pro today, because I’m ___.”
(2) Then tweet about or post this article to Facebook (above).
We will choose two winners sometime next week based upon your responses and mail you a copy of the book. Winners will be announced below. Good luck!
Apple Podcasts
Google Podcasts
Spotify
Stitcher
iHeartRadio
I’m turning pro today because when I give an account for my life, I don’t want to look back and realize that I did enough to just get by.
I’m turning pro today because IS SHORT and I can’t afford not to perform at my very best and continually pushy own boundaries.
In December 2005 when I was elevated to my current role of Director of Agent Development Director I changed my focus from selling a service (real estate) to a consumer and instead started selling the idea of success and how to better serve clients and customers to our agents and those I speak to outside of our company at speaking events and conventions.
I turned pro when I realized and created my mission – “I teach with passion and enthusiasm instilling confidence and excitement in my students.” When I get to do that in any setting, I feel that I am at my best
I turned pro the day I started believing in myself and my work.
Congrats, Destry! You’ve won a copy of Turning Pro. Please send your shipping address through AccidentalCreative.com/contact and we’ll get it in the mail to you.
Thanks!
Just sent in my info
I am turnng pro because I’ve been “picked” to raise my game!
I’m turning pro today because i want to express my wisdom and love through my work!
I turned pro on April 26, 2012 when I started my blog because I wanted to change my attitude about my life and the people in it.
I turned pro the day I realized I could never go back to being a corporate employee, not even as a fallback. But even as a freelancer, I still have to watch my mentality, because it’s easy to end up acting like a client’s employee rather than as an independent expert. I knew I’d grown when I started pushing back on the “employee” treatment.
In my personal creative projects, I have to decide whether I’m going to turn pro pretty much every day I pass near my writing desk. When I first quit my day job, I imagined I’d be creating daily. The journey toward daily creating has been longer than I anticipated, but I’m still on the trek.
I turned pro the day that I finally owned up to the idea that I have been created to help people better pursue their callings, that there is value in what I share, and if I don’t share my art, my head will pop (and that will stain the carpet).
I’m turning pro today because I no longer want to live in the shadow of fear but in the power of passion and purpose!
I’ve turned pro twice so far. Once in 2010 when a mentor told me I could do better, and again earlier this year when I launched my blog. I’m guessing that I’ll go pro at least 5 more times in my life.
I turned pro the day I realized that if someone tried to keep me from writing, they would have to fight me off with a sword to do it. That was the same day I realized that if someone offered me $10,000,000 dollars to stop writing, I would turn it down. That was the day I turned pro.
I turned pro the day I realized that once you find a job you love you’ll never work again
I’m turning pro today because what I do matters, it is significant, and I want to work each day in a way that reflects that.
I turned pro the day I realized that the most valuable feedback I get on my work will disprove my most cherished beliefs by virtue of I don’t learn anything from my successes because my victories lead me to being comfortable and overconfident and that consistently welcoming the fear that comes with the possibility of being wrong is the only way I can ever experience the exhilarating and empowering feelings that are my bravery.
I’m turning pro today because I’m tired of vacillating between being a victim and being a martyr.
I’m turning pro today because I don’t want to just practice my art, I want to dive deep and discover it’s secrets.
I would have posted this comment sooner, but I was too busy being a pro and filming for the documentary I am producing! (boo-ya! haha!) I turned pro when I fully embraced that I am not merely the sum of my past experiences and work history. Then I stepped forward into becoming a documentary film maker/producer without allowing my resume shape my future.
I turned pro the day I decided to stop chasing money first, and instead aimed my full efforts at personal fulfillment and value to others.
I’m turning pro today because life is too short to keep turning excuses over and over in my head.
I turned pro the day I began my blog, “The Edge of Clarity,” now at ArmanSheffey.com.
I’m turning pro because I want to unearth my true calling now and cultivate it long enough to see a positive impact in the lives of others.
I’m turning pro today because I owe it to myself to express my art to the world with confidence. That’s what I’m all about.
I turned pro the day I stopped listening to my own negatory voice of doom and gloom.
I know I turned pro when I started getting up at 4:45 in the morning because my goals didn’t fit into my day of work and kids.
Ohhh, yeah. Now that’s pro.
Congrats, Amy! You’ve won a copy of Turning Pro. Please send your shipping address through AccidentalCreative.com/contact and we’ll get it in the mail to you.
“I’m turning pro today, because I’m putting myself out there launching my product tonight. Against criticism and full of pride.”
Even though I have to continue working in my prior career field (for the time being, to fill the income gap), I turned pro the moment I decided to stop calling Photography my “side job”. Now I say I’m a Photographer and Self Image Coach, and I supplement my income by doing consulting and project work in my former field of Human Resources.
I’m TURNING PRO today because I’m TURNING PRO with the rest of my life. I’m eating right (lost 15 pounds, so far, I’ve quit smoking (kinda hard, but coping), and now I’m determined to get my creative life in gear and on track. Let’s go!
I’m on my second reading…slowly, meditatively. I wrote a whole book review 6 pages in. ;-) That was last week.
This is the kind of book where Steven beats you to death, and makes you want to scream and shout at the same time.
I’m turning pro today because I’m not willing to just accept mediocre work or a comfortable life of anything less of my fullest potential.
I turned pro the day I became transparent and realized my career wouldn’t die (metaphorically). Letting go, let me grow. It also sent a signal that our industry is a team sport and only the most remarkable work is produced with a humble, curious, and collaborative approach. Praise might not always come my way BUT brillant work is created (AND SOLD) far more often – which is what it’s all about.
I turned pro March 31st, 2011, the last day of my 11 year corporate career. I planned for my new career as a food/commercial photographer by saving enough money to make the transition, getting a solid education in commercial photography even though it meant going back to school and starting from the beginning.
i have my own view on fearlessness that is discussed on my last blog post
http://theturnaroundcontrarian.blogspot.com/2012/03/quest-for-fearlessness_24.html
My pro shift inner dialogue was a combination of a few statements over time:
“NO I will not do the obvious application of my skills because someone already created the job. I am going to find my own way.”
“I am going to start a business”
“Now is the time to put into action what is clear, no one else is going to do this for me!”
Uncomfortableedges.blogspot.com
BeingHumanAlly.blogspot.com