The professional and the amateur

A professional is patient.  He knows when to listen and when to speak.  He doesn't get angry.  He doesn't burst out in public if he does get angry.  He doesn't humiliate or embarass people in public.  He says and choose the right words when he opens his mouth.

An amateur is the exact opposite.

A professional believes in the skills of an accountant, a project manager, and researchers.  He hires them because he knows they can be an asset to his organization.  He could admit that he's afraid of this risk but takes it anyway because the results are more valuable.

An amateur is afraid and is always afraid.  He ends up doing everything by himself.  He ends up trying to be everything to everyone.

The professional reads contracts, understands it and asks questions, even the seemingly stupid ones, if there are things that needs clarification.  He believes in contracts because the agreement is clearly documented and sincerely binding.  Nevermind that it's legal - it's a given.

An amateur, if there is ever a contract issued, would probably just read it (lazily).  He could pretend he understands it.  More often he is skeptical for stipulations that confuse him, gets angry at open discussions all for the wrong reasons.  He may sign a contract but with trust issues.

A professional believes in the benefits of proper documentation and strong internal control.  He would always demand for copies of it to ensure transparency of the agreement between parties.

An amateur care less about the leverage paperworks can bring him.  He often has an aversion to procedures, guidelines, and policies.  He hates it.

An amateur hates information overload.  The pros love them.  No wait.  The pros do not think there is such a thing.

But good things have to start somewhere somehow.  Perhaps one of the good things amateurs offer is that they don't do the things they're good at and the things they love doing for the money.  They love their art so much that they do it for themselves and yes for art's sake.  This holds true as long as reality doesn't bite yet.

This attitude allows them to explore their craft at their own pace, style, and imagination... without having to worry about appreciation.  Good things happen from small passionate beginnings.