Are there any obvious differences between an amateur and a highly paid professional?

In a way, this is always what I’m asked when people ask me about the “secret” to my success. There is no secret; perhaps there is something the questioners don’t see, even though it’s obvious. But as we all know, people only see what their beliefs allow them to see. So for many, above-average success remains an open secret.

One of the most obvious differences between amateurs and professionals is the frequency of their “actions.” I’m not talking about training. I’m not talking about the famous 10,000 hours that the most successful people have put in.

I'm referring to the matter-of-fact attitudein your work of taking more than one shot. The matter-of-fact attitude of not trying to achieve everything with just one shot.

How does an amateur position the ball for a shot—for example, a penalty kick—
? How many photos does the star photographer plan to take with his model?

Of course, a professional photographer takes a lot of photos. He snaps away and then picks out the best shot. The StarKicker shoots at the goal from every angle and, in a game, misses more often than he scores.

Amateurs usually have the ambition to get everything just right with a single shot.
They spend a long time setting up the camera to make sure the photo turns out amazing. They carefully position the ball—preferably with everyone else making room—because the amateur wants to take the shot.

A simple, obvious difference. But in conversations, I notice that this secret is usually overlooked. The pros are willing to take an endless number of photos that will never be used. They’re willing to miss the goal more often than they score, even in front of thousands of people.

Isn't it paradoxical that those who are willing to miss the mark more often—and who actually do miss it more often—are the ones who get paid millions, while those who want to get everything right the first time end up with almost nothing?

There's a simple, obvious difference between an amateur and a professional.
It's so obvious that most people can't see the forest for the trees.

Take a close look and be ready to try out a lot of things in your field.
You can't plan what the best snapshot will be. You can't plan exactly when the goal will be scored.

But you can make it a habit to always act like a pro, give it your all, and take plenty of shots. Then enough of them will go in!

Happy Goal-Achieving!

Sincerely,
Yours,
Wolfgang Georg Sonnenburg

Winning for Life