When we see others beginning to live their authentic selves, it drives us crazy if we have not lived out our own.

The professional learns to recognize envy-driven criticism and to take it for what it is: the supreme compliment. The critic hates most that which he would have done himself if he had had the guts.

Resistance cannot be seen, touched, heard, or smelled. But it can be felt.

To feel ambition and to act upon it is to embrace the unique calling of our souls.

When we turn pro we stop running from our fears. We turn around and face them.

It can pay off, being a hack. Given the depraved state of American culture, a slick dude can make millions being a hack. But even if you succeed, you lose, because you’ve sold out your Muse, and your Muse is you, the best part of yourself, where your finest and only true work comes from.

Start before you’re ready. Good things happen when we start before we’re ready.