Why do some people consistently outperform and achieve remarkable results while others struggle to tread water?
There is one thing that stands out more than others: mindset.
If you want results, you need to approach things like a professional, not an amateur. It all comes down to your approach.
What’s the difference? Actually, there are many differences:
- Amateurs have a goal. Professionals have a system.
- Amateurs focus on dividing the pie. Professionals focus on growing the pie.
- Amateurs stop when they achieve something. Professionals understand that the initial achievement is just a launchpad for the next step.
- Amateurs are reactive. Professionals are proactive.
- Amateurs want to win the moment. Professionals want to win the decade.
- Amateurs wait for someone to recognize their potential, tap them on the shoulder, and give them a big opportunity. Professionals go show people what they are capable of with no expectations.
- Amateurs are kinda-in. Professionals are all-in.
- Amateurs focus on the outcome. Professionals focus on the process.
- Amateurs think they are good at everything. Professionals understand their circle of competence.
- Amateurs see feedback and coaching as someone criticizing who they are. Professionals know they have blind spots and seek out thoughtful criticism.
- Amateurs value doing it once. Professionals value doing it consistently.
- Amateurs rely on willpower. Professionals focus on creating an environment that turns desired behaviors into default behaviors.
- Amateurs wait until they feel like it. Professionals do it when they don’t feel like it.
- 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 partnering with people who are strong where they are weak.
- Amateurs predict. Professionals position.
- Amateurs think knowledge is power. Professionals pass on wisdom and advice.
- Amateurs focus on being right. Professionals focus on getting the best outcome.
- Amateurs worry about what they see. Professionals worry about what they can’t see.
- Amateurs focus on first-level thinking. Professionals focus on second-order thinking.
- 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 believe that the world should work the way they want it to. Professionals realize they must work with the world as they find it.
- Amateurs blame others. Professionals accept responsibility.
- Amateurs are intermittent. Professionals are consistent.
- Amateurs hold on to the anchors that hold them back. Professionals let go.
- Amateurs want to get even. Professionals want to get better.
- Amateurs focus on speed. Professionals focus on velocity.
- Amateurs think reality is what they want to see. Professionals know reality is what’s true.
There are many other differences, but they all boil down to mindset.
Food for Thought
- In what circumstances do you find yourself behaving like an amateur instead of as a professional?
- What’s holding you back? Are you hanging around people who are amateurs when you should be hanging around professionals?