The truth about going pro

When it comes to working for myself, mood swings are the most brutal battle.

There are days when I’m feeling confident, enthusiastic, and inspired.

But the next day, I’m ready to burn the whole thing to the ground because I feel unsure, insecure, and embarrassed that I’m trying to do this thing.

One advantage of having a “normal job” is that you have to get up and go to work no matter how you feel. Many of us rarely consider that this kind of built-in accountability and responsibility to an employer is a luxury.

When I worked a “normal job,” I remember feeling annoyed that I had to go to work even when I wasn’t feeling it. I was surprised to realize I still have days when I’m not feeling it, even though I’m now working on my own projects.

In his book The War of Art, Stephen Pressfield writes about how “going pro” means putting your head down and doing the work no matter what.

“Going pro” doesn’t mean you have to quit your day job. You probably shouldn’t until you prove you can “go pro” on the side.

If you want to pursue a creative endeavor, it’s likely a mistake to wait until you have “more time.” More time is rarely the issue. The issue is needing to commit to doing the thing over and over again no matter how you feel, no matter the current results, no matter what.

“Going pro” doesn’t happen when you get awards, money, permission, or attention. “Going pro” happens when you make a commitment to yourself to do the work.