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Bart





Amateurs vs. Professionals
Amateur musicians use procrastinationto hide from the angst, effort and challenge of creating something fromnothing. Professionalsknow procrastination well, having lost and won many gallant battles, with itand yet they continue to soldier on.

Amateur musicians permit distractionsto steal their attention away from the art and work that is beckoning theirconcentration to develop them into Professionals.   Professionals turn off, shut out anddisallow any distractions to thwart the task at hand—to the point of beingrude. Then they take on the inner battles of the creative process withprecision and focus; whether it be a song, a band,  or a business venture like marketing musical talent andskills after developing the music as a band.  Getting paid actual cash for playing some music once or even once in awhile does not make one a Professional Musician, but plying your craft, honing yours skills, and marketing them to earn a living from your music does.

Amateurs believe it when thedemon of doubt delivers a devastating blow to their creative abilities, and itoften takes weeks or months for their fragile ego to recover. Professionals confidently allow thedemon of doubt to declare his forecast of doom, all the while knowing (fromexperience) that the shallow criticisms of the inner beast and outside critics,( who are often  jealous amateurs )are meaningless and futile.   Have to believe in the words of the song:  "when you fall flat on your face, pick yourself up and get right back in the race."  Frank Sinatra sang it "HIS WAY"  so did Elvis Presley, two very successful Professionals that immediately come to mind.   And oh yeah  Kenny G did it too.

The bigdifference between Amateursand Professionals hasnothing to do with talent. In fact there are far more talented amateurs waitingin the wings than there are successful professionals currently working. Thedifference between the two is the courage and willingness to soldier on andfight the inner battles that only true artists and entrepreneurs are privilegedto be charged with. 
 
Many are Called butFew are Chosen !  Mostly because somany amateurs are simply afraid of success and do everything in their power todefeat themselves and prevent their own success.