The professional respects his craft. He does not consider himself superior to it. He recognizes the contributions of those who have gone before him. He apprentices himself to them.
STEVEN PRESSFIELDThe amateur believes he must first overcome his fear; then he can do his work. The professional knows that fear can never be overcome. He knows there is no such thing as a fearless warrior or a dread-free artist.
More Steven Pressfield Quotes
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The more scared we are of a work or calling, the more sure we can be that we have to do it.
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Ignorance and arrogance are the artist’s and entrepreneur’s indispensable allies. She must be clueless enough to have no idea how difficult her enterprise is going to be and cocky enough to believe she can pull it off anyway.”
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Courage is inseparable from love and leads to what may arguably be the noblest of all warrior virtues: selflessness.
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The sign of the amateur is overglorification of and preoccupation with the mystery. The professional shuts up. She doesn’t talk about it. She does her work.
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Those who will not govern themselves are condemned to find masters to govern over them.
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Never forget: This very moment, we can change our lives. There never was a moment, and never will be, when we are without the power to alter our destiny.
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We feed it [Resistance] with power by our fear of it. Master that fear and we conquer Resistance.
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Don’t prepare. Begin. Our enemy is not lack of preparation. The enemy is resistance, our chattering brain producing excuses. Start before you are ready.
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Stay stupid. Follow your unconventional crazy heart.
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Playing the game for money produces the proper professional attitude. It inculcates the lunch-pail state of mind that shows up for work despite rain or snow or dark of night and slugs it out day after day.
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It’s better to be in the arena, getting stomped by the bull, than to be up in the stands or out in the parking lot.
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The critic hates most that which he would have done himself if he had had the guts.
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Our greatest battle is to become ourselves, in the face of adversity.
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The more fear we feel about a specific enterprise, the more certain we can be that that enterprise is important to us and to the growth of our soul.
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Creative work is not a selfish act or a bid for attention on the part of the actor. It’s a gift to the world and every being in it. Don’t cheat us of your contribution. Give us what you’ve got.
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