Becoming A Professional - The War of Art Excerpt:
- Being a professional involves patience and understanding delayed gratification to sustain intensity over time. "The professional arms himself with patience... He conserves his energy."
- Professionals seek order, eliminate chaos from their environment, and maintain a clean space for creativity. "He will not tolerate disorder."
- Professionals view their work as craft, focusing on technique rather than getting lost in the mystery of art. "A pro views her work as craft, not art."
- Acting in the face of fear is crucial for professionals, who understand that fear can never be fully overcome. "The amateur believes he must first overcome his fear, then he can do his work."
Characteristics of a Professional:
- Seeking order in one's environment helps professionals banish chaos from their minds and create space for creativity. "He will not tolerate disorder."
- Viewing work as craft instead of art allows professionals to focus on technique and practical aspects rather than getting lost in mysticism. "A pro views her work as craft, not art."
- Acting despite fear is essential for professionals, who understand that overcoming fear completely is impossible but pushing forward is necessary. "The amateur believes he must first overcome his fear, then he can do his work."
Professionalism Amid Adversity:
- Enduring adversity is a hallmark of professionalism, where setbacks like rejection or humiliation are not taken personally but seen as external reflections of internal resistance. "Humiliation, like rejection and criticism, is the external reflection of internal resistance."