Tap Your Inner Power and Create Your Life's Work - Turning Pro

This book complement The War of Art. The author goes a bit more deep into Turning Pro philosophy.

If you want to understand what it takes to turn pro and remain pro this is one of the books you should read, as well as the War of Art.

After reading War of Art, and being truly inspired by it, I was hoping for a similar response to Turning Pro. What I got instead was disappointment. Written in much the same style as War of Art, Turning Pro seemed less like an extension of War of Art and more like a regurgitation of it. There are a few brighter spots that were inspiring, but overall, I was disappointed with the book.

To fully appreciate this book you first have to read The War of Art. Same easy read with short chapters that give you plenty of time to think.This book focuses on the discipline that is necessary to achieve any results of meaningful importance. It is inspiring for writers and other creative minds who want to make creative endeavors the sole focus of their professional lives.

Really need that swift kick sometimes. And this book did that for me. I don't agree with everything but I can pinpoint when I am amateur and when I'm pro now. If I want to take my dreams to the next level (I do!) I have to dig into this mindset. I recommend this book to get a person to the next level. Easy to read. Quick chapters.

The amateur tweets. The pro works.

That pretty much sums up the book for me.

In the face of uncertainty and doubt, the amateur chooses distraction, while the pro chooses to do the work instead. The pro knows: doubt won't go away by itself, one has to push it, shove it, kick it. By doing the work.

What is distraction, if not self-sabotage, sabotage of one's future self? As Pressfield puts it, "lives go down the tubes one hundred and forty characters at a time." It's not only Twitter, but any distraction or self-delusion that prevents us from doing the work of our life.

Mindset makes all the difference. Approach the work like a pro, and you win. Come at it like an amateur, you give up and in the end it kicks your butt.

The amateur and the pro are Pressfield's metaphors for people who either run from their fears or face them. It's a choice that one has to make every day.

What's your choice?

Ignore this book at your own peril! Short and intense, it will challenge your attitude to work and life -- for your own good.

With a relatable, concise, no-nonsense, approach, Steven Pressfield explains that changing your mindset to that of a professional is by no means easy but it is worth it. I think Turning Pro is a worthwhile read for creative people who feel like they're floundering somewhat and need help refocusing.

This was my first Steven Pressfield book and I was pleased to find several valuable gems therein. Just the concept of moving away from being an amateur and adopting a professional approach was helpful in and of itself.

However, if you have read his other books there is a chance that you may think this is old news as Turning Pro has less meat in the sandwich when compared to Pressfield's other books like War On Art and Do The Work.

I reference this book in conversations regularly. Little Pressfield reminders occasionally come to mind and immediately make me rethink whether I'm currently taking correct action or not. This one will stick with you and prove valuable in many areas of work and life.

I like Pressfield's work in general. Very deep ideas. But this book reads like a Cliff notes summary of much of "War of Art". Lots of short "chapters" of two pages or less, leaving partially blank pages, as if to pad the thing so that it would be long enough to call a book. If you are completely new to this area of thought, I'd recommend it. But if you have read War of Art, I don't think you'll get much new from this book. I didn't.

Steven Pressfield never disappoints. He relates his own experience in suiting up to write, and the bottom line is that if he can do it so can you (or me!). The title suggests it's for people who want to be professional writers or professional in any other endeavor, but it's really about setting standards for oneself and how to live up to them.

This book shares the beauty and harsh reality of turning pro. As a writer you will find this book telling you what you know to do but needed a good kick in the pants to get moving. Read this book and take action.

Loved it after first reading the War of Art. Steve Pressfield's personal journey is in and of itself very inspiring. I saw myself in Turning Pro as I change careers in my mid 60's. I have been taking the Amatuer approach to my new career and reading Turning Pro made that painfully clear. To quote Maverick in Top Gun "Fire or Clear". Stop messing around and either engage fully or go do something else with your life. Have recommended this book to at least 4 since I finished it yesterday.

Probably one of the most brilliant books I've ever read. Cuts right through to what is holding you back. It's as if the author is looking right at you when he is talking. I found myself taking notes and every page.

Pressfield puts into words what I've 'thought' for a long time... and does it with consummate skill and understanding. However, to 'live the concept' as fully and deeply as Pressfield does takes more courage and self-absorption than many of us possess. A fine, top-notch book, though.

As usual while reading, I was marking sentences and passages that struck me. After some time I realized there were more lines highlighted than those unmarked... Never happened before. It is not one of those (often great) books that leave you with a thought "yeah, I should do that, too". Instead, it turns you upside down to put you back on feet. At least it did that to me. Uff...

If you watch Marie Forleo's interview to the author, is pretty much more exciting than reading the book.
And the core message of the book is delivered there.

Enjoy, just to learn the details,
If I have to choose, I prefer the interview.

Steven Pressfield's "Turning Pro" is geared towards writers and other creative artists, but in essence it is what everyone who struggles in the amateur ranks needs to know to kickstart themselves into the rating of professional. It's articulate, full of authentic common sense, laced with practical information, and doesn't belabor the point. You get his message loud and clear, and you are inspired to act on it. This is one of those milestone books that you remember later as an influence that really changed your life.

Read this book to jump-start your creative life! Steven hits the nail on the head and validated a few of my own experiences. He brilliantly sums up many characteristics of both the amateur and the professional, and encourages us to step up to the plate as artists with gifts. Easy to read, a great on-going reference, down-to-earth, real. And I appreciated the subtle references to Joseph Campbell at the end.

Out of all the books in my library of motivational guides, business strategy, and self-help primers this is THE book that turned my behavior around. If you're constantly distracting yourself away from building your business and wondering why, this is the book for you. I've gotten more clients in the two weeks since reading this book than I've gotten in the past 12 months, and I'm confidant that I'll NEVER go back to being an amateur.

The content in Turning Pro could change your life... take it slow and don't rip through it like most of us do just to say we read another classic pro's should read. This is an important book. If you take it seriously enough, you just might be surprised.

This book I found helps you push beyond your typically thought process of what is good enough and how you can push yourself just a little bit more. It helps show the difference between an amateur and a pro and the steps you need to take to make that happen.

Classic Pressfield. No nonsense with straightforward information about the difference between an amateur and a PRO. Who knew that it is a matter of commitment? I bought this as a Kindle but I want the book as a visual reminder of the day I Turned PRO.

Pressfield's humor of his experience lightens our own tendency to take ourselves too seriously yet persevere to Pro. A MUST read along with The War of Art and Do The Work! Humorous - Relatable - Applicable

As always Steve Pressfield does not disappoint. How could he? A man who says, "I serve the goddess. Where she tells me to go, I go." is a man I trust.
His words are insightful and inspiring and will cause you to stop and think about exactly what it is you are doing. Must reading for anyone who is serious about turning pro and willing to live out his/her calling.

The book was very helpful to me to appreciate right mindset needed to achieve anything significant. Yet I am not giving 5 start because:
1. The book could provide more details on how to find ones true calling and when to take more risks.
2. The book could include interviews with artists who have produced great works to give additional perspectives.

Understanding what separates an amateur from a Pro and following the right behaviors and work ethic can change your life and help you achieve the results you've been long expecting. This book will help you with that understanding.

The book was very helpful to me to appreciate right mindset needed to achieve anything significant. Yet I am not giving 5 start because:
1. The book could provide more details on how to find ones true calling and when to take more risks.
2. The book could include interviews with artists who have produced great works to give additional perspectives.

Understanding what separates an amateur from a Pro and following the right behaviors and work ethic can change your life and help you achieve the results you've been long expecting. This book will help you with that understanding.

Mr. Pressfield's books are life-changers. Well-written, on target, clear. He is one of my heroes. Establishes normalcy, encourages, then says here's how to change and move on. You choose: be a professional or an amateur.

The book's argument seems to be "Competent = Pro." Put another way, It is an arguement to work hard at your chosen field and you will very probably do very well and be a Pro.

That seems to me to be self evident. Some folks might find the book helpful, however i doubt that is true of many entrepreneurial personalities.

Pressfield's well worn path that led to the writing of this book, dug deep into my core. It was gut-wrenchingly good and hard to read in it's truth. It shines a mirror on the reader in a way that's revealing and inspiring at the same time.

Pressfield really gets you thinking about your actions and mentality. I've learned more about myself and how I can become more of a 'Pro' by changing some of my thinking and actions. Great stuff for anyone in any walk of life. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for practical self development. It only works if you're honest with yourself and do something about it!

This author has a special way with words and stories that will manifest many "aha" moments. I would definitely recommend this book to those struggling with lack of focus and individuals who allow their inner critic to lead.

Talk about getting to the heart of the matter! Mr Pressfield lays it all out. The good and the ugly. The truth about what greatness entails....and the rewards it brings. Make sure you read Do The Work and War of Art from Pressfield as well. Pure inspiration.

Steve defines the difference between amateur and professional in understandable terms to help you know on which side you're on right now. I'm not a big fan of the "mystic" connections but I'm mature enough to see past that and pull the quality of the text that's usable for me.