The War of Art by Steven Pressfieldby Parker on TwosThe professional, though he accepts money, does his work out of love. He has to love it. Otherwise, he wouldn’t devote his life to it of his own free will.A professional is patient.The professional shuts up. She doesn’t talk about it. She does her work.The professional's goal is not victory (success will come by itself when it wants to) but to handle himself, his insides, as sturdily and steadily as he can.A professional acts in the face of fear.A professional accepts no excuses.A professional does not show off.The professional respects his craft. He does not consider himself superior to it. He recognizes the contributions of those who have gone before him. He apprentices himself to them. The professional dedicates himself to mastering technique not because he believes technique is a substitute for inspiration but because he wants to be in possession of the full arsenal of skills when inspiration does come.A professional does not hesitate to ask for help.A professional does not take failure (or success) personally.