The Difference Between Amateurs and Professionals
* Amateurs stop when they achieve something. Professionals understand that the initial achievement is just the beginning.
* Amateurs have a goal. Professionals have a process.
* Amateurs think they are good at everything. Professionals understand their circles of competence.
* Amateurs see feedback and coaching as someone criticizing them as a person. Professionals know they have weak spots and seek out thoughtful criticism.
* Amateurs value isolated performance. Think about the receiver who catches the ball once on a difficult throw. Professionals value consistency. Can I catch the ball in the same situation 9 times out of 10?
* Amateurs give up at the first sign of trouble and assume they’re failures. Professionals see failure as part of the path to growth and mastery.
* Amateurs don’t have any idea what improves the odds of achieving good outcomes. Professionals do.
* Amateurs show up to practice to have fun. Professionals realize that what happens in practice happens in games.
* Amateurs focus on identifying their weaknesses and improving them. Professionals focus on their strengths and on finding people who are strong where they are weak.
* Amateurs think knowledge is power. Professionals pass on wisdom and advice.
* Amateurs focus on being right. Professionals focus on getting the best outcome.
* Amateurs focus on first-level thinking. Professionals focus on second-level thinking.
* Amateurs think good outcomes are the result of their brilliance. Professionals understand when outcomes are the result of luck.
* Amateurs focus on the short term. Professionals focus on the long term.
* Amateurs focus on tearing other people down. Professionals focus on making everyone better.
* Amateurs make decisions in committees so there is no one person responsible if things go wrong. Professionals make decisions as individuals and accept responsibility.
* Amateurs blame others. Professionals accept responsibility.
* Amateurs show up inconsistently. Professionals show up every day.
There are a host of other differences, but they can effectively be boiled down to two things: fear and reality.
Source: https://www.farnamstreetblog.com/2017/08/amateurs-professionals/?utm_source=CreativeMornings+HQ+👋&utm_campaign=370313a0dc-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2017_07_17&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_1768cc808f-370313a0dc-323399165&mc_cid=370313a0dc&mc_eid=f3f5071e2e
