“The sign of the amateur is overglorification of and preoccupation with the mystery. The professional shuts up. She doesn't talk about it. She does her work.”

—  Steven Pressfield

Source: The War of Art: Break Through the Blocks & Win Your Inner Creative Battles

Last update June 3, 2021. History

Help us to complete the source, original and additional information

Do you have more details about the quote "The sign of the amateur is overglorification of and preoccupation with the mystery. The professional shuts up. She does…" by Steven Pressfield?
Steven Pressfield photo
Steven Pressfield70
United States Marine 1943

Related quotes

Steven Pressfield photo

“The professional loves her work. She is invested in it wholeheartedly. But she does not forget that the work is not her.”

Steven Pressfield (1943) United States Marine

Source: The War of Art: Break Through the Blocks & Win Your Inner Creative Battles

Donald J. Trump photo

“Our country's a mess. And that's why when she makes the speech, she doesn't talk about radical Islam. She doesn't talk about the problems that we have in this country and throughout the world. Many of the problems, she caused. I mean, she created ISIS with her stupidity and her lack of knowledge with her bad judgment.”

Donald J. Trump (1946) 45th President of the United States of America

2010s, 2016, July, This Week Interview (July 30, 2016)

Elton John photo

“They're not "normal" songs. None of her songs have been "normal." She's just who she is, she's unique. She's — a mystery. She's the most beautiful mystery.”

Elton John (1947) English rock singer-songwriter, composer and pianist

The Kate Bush Story (2014)
Context: They're not "normal" songs. None of her songs have been "normal." She's just who she is, she's unique. She's — a mystery. She's the most beautiful mystery. … Let me tell you a story: when I had my civil partnership, nine years ago, in 2005, and Kate — we invited Kate, we didn't think she'd come but she came, she came with her husband Danny, and there were a lot of very famous people in that room, there were like 600 people — and all anybody wanted to meet was Kate Bush. I mean, musician, anybody — they couldn't believe Kate Bush was there. She's kind of an enigma.

Sarah Dessen photo

“What were you two talking about?" she whispered as Wes pulls the door shut.
Nothing," I said. "Running."
You should have seen your face," she said, her breath hot in my ear. "Sa-woooon.”

Sarah Dessen book The Truth About Forever

Source: The Truth About Forever

Louisa May Alcott photo

“Every few weeks she would shut herself up in her room, put on her scribbling suit, and fall into a vortex, as she expressed it, writing away at her novel with all her heart and soul, for till that was finished she could find no peace.”

Louisa May Alcott book Little Women

Source: Little Women

Amy Tan photo

“If she doesn't speak, she is making a choice. If she doesn't try, she can lose her chance forever.
-An-mei”

Amy Tan The Joy Luck Club

Source: The Joy Luck Club

“A professional is a man who can do his job when he doesn't feel like it; an amateur is one who can't when he does feel like it.”

James Agate (1877–1947) British diarist and critic

Ego, p. 303, September 17, 1933.

John McCain photo

“I've found just the right partner to help me shake up Washington, Gov. Sarah Palin of the great state of Alaska. … She has an executive experience and a real record of accomplishment. She's tackled tough problems, like energy independence and corruption. She's balanced a budget, cut taxes, and she's taken on the special interests. She's reached across the aisle and asked Republicans, Democrats, and independents to serve in her administration. She's the wonderful mother of five children. She's -- she's helped run a small business. She's worked with her hands and knows -- and knows what it's like to worry about mortgage payments, and health care, and the cost of gasoline and groceries. She knows where she comes from, and she knows who she works for. She stands up for what's right, and she doesn't let anyone tell her to sit down.”

John McCain (1936–2018) politician from the United States

2000s, 2008, 2008 Republican National Convention (2008)

Ann Brashares photo

“When she is happy, she can't stop talking, when she is sad she doesn't say a word.”

Ann Brashares book Girls in Pants: The Third Summer of the Sisterhood

Source: Girls in Pants: The Third Summer of the Sisterhood

Walter Bagehot photo

“But the Queen has no such veto; She must sign her own death-warrant if the two Houses unanimously send it up to her.”

Walter Bagehot book The English Constitution

No. III, "The Monarchy (continued)", p. 58
The English Constitution (1867)

Related topics