⭕️ Are You an Amateur or a Pro?

Hey friend,

I always try to be compassionate when I write to you. But today? No filters. No excuses. Just the brutal truth.

A couple of weeks ago, my coach shared insights from a book called Turning Pro by Steven Pressfield. After reading it, he said he felt naked—like the book had exposed everything about him.

And when I read it? I felt the exact same way.

It was embarrassing.

I felt caught.

Caught in my own habits, in my comfort zone, in my endless cycles of starting and stopping, of being busy but not making progress, of never fully committing—all because I had been living as an amateur for so long.

And that’s when I made a decision:

I’m turning pro.

Today, I want to challenge you to ask yourself the same question:

Are you still living as an amateur?

Or are you ready to turn pro?

read time: 3 mins

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Amateur vs. Pro: Which One Are You?

Pressfield makes it painfully clear:

“The difference between an amateur and a professional is in their habits. An amateur has amateur habits. A professional has professional habits.”

Here’s the reality check:

I saw myself in way too many of the amateur columns.

I had spent years switching from For The Menstruator, to podcasting, to newsletters, to a community, to agency work, to consulting, to content creation. I told myself I was “exploring.”

But the truth?

I was avoiding full commitment.

Maybe you’ve been doing the same.

Addicted to Being an Amateur

Pressfield compares turning pro to kicking a drug habit because we are addicted to being amateurs.

“Turning pro is like kicking a drug habit. It's a decision you must re-commit to every day.”

We’re addicted to:

• Procrastination

• Validation from others

• Distractions that feel good but steal our time

The amateur scrolls, binges, overthinks—convinced they need one more book, one more course, one more piece of advice before they’re “ready.”

The pro quits the addiction.

Not overnight. Not all at once. But they decide.

And then? They commit to that decision every single day.

How to Turn Pro (Starting Right Now)

If you’re reading this and realizing damn, I’ve been playing small—good.

Because now you can choose to change.

Here’s how to start:

1. Pick ONE thing to commit to. No more dabbling. What’s the one thing you’re going all-in on? A project? A skill? Your health? Pick it.

2. Create non-negotiable habits. Stop waiting for motivation. Set a schedule. If it’s writing, write at 8 AM daily. If it’s fitness, hit the gym at 6 AM. No excuses.

3. Kill distractions. If it’s not helping you turn pro, cut it out. Delete the app. Cancel the Netflix binge. Your time is your most valuable asset—stop wasting it.

4. Act despite fear. Every morning, Resistance will whisper, “You don’t have to do this today.” That’s your cue to do it anyway.

5. Commit for the long haul. The amateur wants quick results. The pro knows this is a lifelong process. There’s no finish line—only the work.

And here’s the kicker:

You don’t have to feel ready to turn pro.

You just have to decide.

And once you do? You never look back.

Your Next Step

Right now, you have two options:

❌ Close this email, go back to scrolling, and keep telling yourself you’ll “start tomorrow.”
✅ Or turn pro—today.

Your choice.

If you’re choosing the second option, hit reply and tell me:

What’s the one thing you’re committing to?

Friend, every week, I write this newsletter because I genuinely believe in you and this community. It’s been one of the most fulfilling things I’ve done, and your support means everything. If there’s anything I can do for you—whether it’s an intro, a shoutout, or just being a soundboard—hit reply. I read and respond to every email.

With you on this journey,

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