The Principle of Priority states (a) you must know the difference between what is urgent and what is important, and (b) you must do what’s important first.

Creative work is not a selfish act or a bid for attention on the part of the actor. It's a gift to the world and every being in it. Don't cheat us of your contribution. Give us what you've got.

Be too dumb to quit and too stubborn to back off.

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

We fear discovering that we are more than we think we are. More than our parents/children/teachers think we are. We fear that we actually possess the talent that our still, small voice tells us. That we actually have the guts, the perseverance, the capacity. We fear that we truly can steer our ship, plant our flag, reach our Promised Land. We fear this because, if it’s true, then we become estranged from all we know. We pass through a membrane. We become monsters and monstrous.

Don't wait for someone else to validate you. Validate yourself.

Do we have to stare death in the face to make us stand up and confront Resistance?