Why you can’t turn Pro
Turning pro seems to be such a foreign idea to the majority of people yet it doesn’t have to be. Reflecting upon the topic after reading a recent book on the subjects here are some thoughts I have to share.
Firstly what is a professional?
Often our understanding of what actually is a pro is misunderstood and therefore unachievable as we are going after the wrong things. The official definition of professional is, “a person engaged in a specified activity, especially a sport, as a main paid occupation rather than as a pastime”, or “a person engaged or qualified in a profession”.
The problem with both of these definitions however is that they leave so much in the grey; like to qualify as a professional does one necessarily need to be earning money? What if you are really bad at something yet earn a ton or equally are amazing and don’t earn a penny?
Or as the second definition states “qualified and engaged in a profession”, what does qualified mean- do we all require a degree? Similarly what does engaged in a profession actually mean?
These vague definitions leave a bit to be desired and my personal opinion is that a ‘professional’ is to simply take on a certain mindset. Obviously, this can then manifest in a change in action, however, ultimately it is the fundamental ideology and routines that the pro has that differ oneself from the more average or amateur. Recently there was a book I read which went on about this called, “Turning Pro” by Steven Pressfield, and I dug deeper into this topic.
“Ambition is the most primal and sacred fundament of our being. To feel ambition and to act upon it is to embrace the unique calling of our souls”
This is one of the first quotes Pressfield throws at you in the book and it struck a chord with me because reflecting upon my life I have lots of ambitions whether it be in running, writing, making a difference, or whatever; however, taking action upon that is always the hard part. The day-to-day resistance is a recurrent theme that seems to separate those from amateur to pro.
The average Joe simply can’t overcome the short-term hardship looking to that long-term vision of becoming a pro.
But what actually does a professional look like?
So we have this ambition that is a ‘sacred fundament of our being’, and that sounds all good and fancy but what is the solution? A master plan, a guide, a lifeline to escape the existential dread of unfulfilled potential? No none of that, the pro simply leans into discipline and has quite a simple life, and as Pressfield describes it, they are,
“So plain they are invisible”
The focus for the professional is so clear they don’t worry or concern themselves with distractions that their peers or the rest of society concern themselves with.
The amateur assumes an attitude of fear- running from the true calling and instead follows a path that doesn’t have any risk or loss. Yet in this shadow career designated to the amateur, there is a consistent lack of fulfillment. Carl Jung, one of the biggest contributors to analytical psychology, often said;
“What is our unconscious trying to tell us?”
Digging deep into the innate calling of our hearts; the professional lifestyle is something achievable by us all-we just need the discipline.
But I’m not disciplined, how can I ever be a professional?
Don’t worry! Ultimately we have to recognise that we are all fallen, flawed beings. Humans are addicted to dopamine, failure, sex, distraction, money, trouble, and all the while feeding their own egos. None of us are exempt, it is the sad reality of 21st Century western society.
However, this doesn’t let us off free. Amongst different places in society and different people with different moral obligations, there will be more leanings, although, it could be relatively easy to agree that accepting some aspects (if not all) of a professional lifestyle is something to aspire to.
To sacrifice the ease of that lifestyle and take up what can be hardship in the immediate for the success and growth in the long term goes against the grain but is distinctive in this day and age.
Discipline is not something you are born with nor does it come easy to anyone. It’s similar to a muscle. You must train it, remove distractions and implement healthy habits that allow for the professional side of you to flourish.
You’ve convinced me! What’s next?
Pressfield outlines some helpful qualities of the Professional to try and aim for in the day to day:
The professional shows up every day
The professional stays on the job all-day
The professional is committed over the long haul
For the professional, the stakes are high, and real
The professional is patient
The professional seeks order
The professional demystifies
The professional acts in the face of fear
The professional accepts no excuses
The professional plays it as it lays
The professional is prepared
The professional does not show off
The professional dedicates himself to mastering technique
The professional does not hesitate to ask for help
The professional does not identify with his or her instrument
The professional does not take failure or success personally
The professional endures adversity
The professional self validates
The professional reinvents himself
The professional is recognised by other professionals
Although these seem somewhat foreign and hard principles they are good to strive for. As someone who is always looking to better himself, adopting some aspects of professionalism stressed by Pressfield is something I am going to work on.
“The amateur tweets. The Pro works”
Well, I finished up here. Better stop scrolling, get working, and venture onwards.