Amateurs have a goal. Professionals have a system.

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 positional, tap them on the shoulder, and give them a big opportunity. Professionals go show people what they are capable of with no expectations.

Amateurs focus on the outcome. Professionals focus on the process.

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 focus on being right. Professionals focus on getting the best outcome.

Amateurs focus on the short-term. Professionals focus on the long-term.

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 that they have to work with the world as they find it.

Amateurs blame others. Professionals accept responsibility.

Amateurs are intermittent. Professionals are consistent.

Amateurs want to get even. Professionals want to get better.