Introduction
Have you ever felt a burning desire to pursue a creative passion, but something always seems to get in the way? Do you find yourself making excuses, telling yourself the timing isn't right, or that you have too much on your plate? If this sounds familiar, you may be stuck in the mindset of an amateur, unable to break free from the patterns that are holding you back from becoming a professional.
In his book "Turning Pro," Steven Pressfield offers a roadmap for making the transition from amateur to professional in your creative pursuits. The key, he argues, is not about talent or luck, but about changing your mindset and committing to your craft. This book summary will explore the main ideas presented in "Turning Pro" and provide actionable insights to help you achieve your creative goals.
The Decision to Turn Pro
A Conscious Choice
Becoming a professional is not something that happens by accident or through external validation. It's a conscious decision that you must make for yourself. Pressfield illustrates this point with his own experience of becoming a professional writer. He didn't wait for a big publishing deal or a movie script sale to consider himself a pro. Instead, he made the decision to commit fully to his craft by moving to a new location, cutting out distractions, and dedicating himself to writing a novel, regardless of the outcome.
This decision to turn pro often requires leaving behind comfortable routines and facing your fears head-on. It's about choosing to prioritize your creative work above all else, even when it's difficult or uncomfortable.
Recognizing Shadow Careers
One of the obstacles that can prevent us from turning pro is what Pressfield calls a "shadow career." This is a job or pursuit that bears some resemblance to our true calling but doesn't carry the same risks or demands. For example, someone who dreams of being a playwright might instead pursue a Ph.D. in Elizabethan studies, or an aspiring inventor might work as a research assistant rather than developing their own ideas.
Shadow careers can be tempting because they feel safer and more comfortable than pursuing our true passions. However, they ultimately hold us back from realizing our full potential. Recognizing when we're engaged in a shadow career is an important step in the journey to turning pro.
Overcoming Addiction and Resistance
The Role of Addiction in Amateur Life
One of the key differences between amateurs and professionals is how they handle their fears and insecurities. Amateurs often turn to addictive behaviors as a way to avoid facing the challenges of their creative work. These addictions can take many forms, from substance abuse to obsessive relationships or even excessive social media use.
Pressfield argues that these addictions serve as a form of resistance, preventing us from fully committing to our creative pursuits. By indulging in these distractions, we avoid the discomfort and potential failure that comes with putting ourselves out there creatively.
Facing Your Fears
To turn pro, you must be willing to confront your fears head-on. This means acknowledging the various anxieties that hold you back, such as fear of failure, judgment, loneliness, or even success. The most paralyzing fear for many amateurs is the fear of being rejected by their "tribe" – whether that's family, friends, or a broader community.
Professionals understand that these fears are largely baseless. They recognize that most people are too preoccupied with their own lives to spend much time judging or rejecting others. By letting go of these fears, you free yourself to pursue your true calling without being held back by imagined consequences.
The Breakthrough Moment
Rock Bottom as a Catalyst
Often, the decision to turn pro comes at a moment of crisis or deep realization. Pressfield shares his own experience of hitting rock bottom in New York, driving cabs and living in a sublet apartment. It was in this low moment that he finally faced the truth about his life and decided to commit to writing, even if what he produced wasn't great at first.
These breakthrough moments are rarely pleasant. They often arise from pain, shame, or a stark realization of how far we've strayed from our true path. However, these epiphanies are crucial because they strip away our delusions and force us to confront the truth about our lives and choices.
The Gift of Shame and Willpower
While the initial breakthrough can be painful, it also brings with it a powerful gift: willpower. The shame we feel at realizing how we've been living our shadow life can be transformed into the fuel we need to make real changes. This newfound willpower is what allows us to overcome the inertia of our old habits and start building the life of a professional.
Reshaping Your Life as a Professional
Daily Habits and Routines
Turning pro isn't just a one-time decision; it's a complete reshaping of your life. This means changing your daily habits and routines to prioritize your creative work. You may need to adjust your sleep schedule, change your eating habits, or rethink how you spend your free time. Everything in your life should be evaluated based on whether it supports or hinders your creative pursuits.
Reevaluating Relationships
As you make these changes, you'll likely find that some relationships in your life need to be reevaluated. People who are still living as amateurs may try to pull you back into old habits or make you feel guilty about your new priorities. While it can be difficult, you may need to distance yourself from those who don't support your new path.
Ongoing Commitment
Becoming a pro doesn't mean that you'll never face doubts or temptations again. Every day, you'll need to recommit to your path and face down the demons of resistance. The difference is that as a pro, you'll have developed the tools and mindset to overcome these challenges consistently.
The Professional Mindset
Demanding High Standards
One hallmark of the professional mindset is an unwavering commitment to high standards. Pressfield illustrates this with the story of Picasso destroying a series of his own paintings that a gallerist was praising. As a pro, you must be willing to judge your own work honestly and push yourself to improve, even when others are satisfied with what you've produced.
Balancing Self-Criticism with Self-Compassion
While maintaining high standards is crucial, it's equally important to cultivate self-compassion. Pressfield uses the analogy of a racehorse trainer to illustrate this point. Just as a sensitive racehorse performs better when treated with kindness and enthusiasm rather than harsh discipline, creative professionals need to balance their self-criticism with self-care to maintain their energy and passion.
Living in the Present
Professionals understand the importance of being fully present in their work. This means eliminating distractions and cultivating the ability to enter a state of flow. Unlike amateurs who may wait for the perfect conditions or a burst of inspiration, pros show up every day and trust that their muse will meet them when they begin working.
The Importance of Practice
Creating a Sacred Space
To turn pro, you need to establish a regular practice, much like the daily rituals of monks in a monastery. This practice should take place in a sacred space dedicated to your work. Whether it's a studio, a corner of your home, or even a favorite coffee shop, this space should be free from distractions and imbued with a sense of purpose.
Intentional and Focused Work
Your practice should be intentional and focused. It's not enough to simply put in the hours; you need to approach your work with the goal of continual improvement. This means pushing yourself to reach deeper into your craft and constantly seeking to learn and grow.
Humility and Lifelong Commitment
A professional practice is grounded in humility. When you enter your sacred space, leave your ego at the door and approach your work with an open mind and a willingness to learn. Additionally, understand that your practice is not a temporary phase but a lifelong commitment. Like Picasso, who painted well into his 90s, your dedication to your craft should be unwavering.
Trusting the Creative Process
Overcoming the Fear of Blank Pages
Many amateurs fear that discipline and routine will stifle their creativity. However, professionals understand that structure actually supports creative flow. By showing up consistently and trusting in the creative process, you open yourself up to inspiration and ideas.
Faith in the Muse
Professionals have faith that their muse will show up when they begin working. This doesn't mean that every day will be filled with brilliant ideas, but it does mean trusting that something will emerge if you put in the effort. This faith allows you to push through difficult days and periods of doubt.
Embracing the Mystery
When you fully commit to your practice and trust in the creative process, you open yourself up to possibilities beyond your conscious mind. This is how writers create characters smarter than themselves or artists produce work that surprises even them. By embracing the mystery of creativity, you allow yourself to tap into your full potential.
Practical Steps for Turning Pro
Make a conscious decision: Commit to your craft and decide to prioritize it above other distractions and commitments.
Identify and abandon shadow careers: Recognize if you're pursuing a safer alternative to your true calling and have the courage to let it go.
Face your fears: Acknowledge the anxieties holding you back and work to overcome them.
Establish a daily practice: Create a sacred space and a routine that supports your creative work.
Maintain high standards: Hold yourself accountable to producing your best work, even when others are satisfied with less.
Cultivate self-compassion: Balance self-criticism with kindness to maintain your creative energy.
Eliminate distractions: Create an environment that allows you to focus fully on your work.
Trust the process: Show up consistently and have faith that inspiration will follow.
Embrace lifelong learning: Approach your craft with humility and a commitment to ongoing improvement.
Reevaluate relationships: Surround yourself with people who support your new professional mindset.
Final Thoughts
Turning pro is not about achieving overnight success or receiving external validation. It's about making a deep, internal shift in how you approach your creative work and your life as a whole. By committing to your craft, facing your fears, and establishing a consistent practice, you open yourself up to living a more authentic and fulfilling life.
The journey from amateur to professional is not always easy. It requires sacrifice, discipline, and the courage to face your deepest insecurities. However, the rewards of living true to your calling are immeasurable. As you embrace the mindset of a professional, you'll find that your work takes on new depth and meaning, and you'll be able to tap into creative resources you never knew you had.
Remember that turning pro is not a one-time event but an ongoing process. Each day brings new challenges and opportunities to recommit to your path. By staying true to your practice and trusting in the creative mystery, you'll be able to weather the ups and downs of the creative life and produce work that truly matters.
In the end, turning pro is about more than just achieving success in your chosen field. It's about becoming the person you were meant to be and living a life of purpose and authenticity. By following the principles outlined in "Turning Pro," you can unlock your full potential and create a body of work that reflects your true self. The journey may be challenging, but the rewards of living as a creative professional are well worth the effort.