If It Matters, You Will Do It

His handle is @FailedProtostar. But one look at the photos on his Instagram feed and you’ll immediately see that he is far from failing.

Last week, there was an eclipse and the photo he captured in the wee hours of the morning is nothing short of spectacular. His Instagram post says, “A bit cloudy for this morning’s eclipse but I got a few shots through my telescope and the clouds gave it a neat and eerie feeling!”

The photo is so cool—it’s clearly taken by a professional who is passionate about his work. I shared the photo on my Instagram stories and when his wife saw it, she replied and said proudly, “That’s my husband!”

We exchanged a few messages back and forth and when I said he is ridiculously talented she said, “I have to agree. And committed. He goes out at ungodly hours (mostly early mornings when it is still dark) to get the shots.”

She also said:

 “If it matters to you, you do what you have to do.”

A coaching client of mine mentioned that she is reading Pressfield’s War of Art. It’s all about doing what matters. Pressfield puts us in two camps; you’re either an amateur or a professional.

An amateur can come up with a list of excuses and rationalize their way out of anything. I know this to be true—I’ve seen it with some of my coaching clients, and I’d be lying if I hadn’t succumbed to the gift (or curse) of rationalization and procrastination myself.

Professionals, on the other hand, get up at ungodly hours to do the work. They do what matters because that is what they do, but… there is a distinction.

Professionals still feel and face rationalization. Professionals still have hours, days and weeks where they don’t feel like doing the work.

The difference is they know that in order to be exceptional at anything, you have to do the work. You have to follow through on the commitments you make to others, and more importantly, the ones you make to yourself.

Andrew Symes has a passion for astronomy and photography. And, he is generous in sharing his work and his technique for capturing such stunning photography using, you got it—his iPhone.

What about you? What passion do you currently have that you’d like to become a professional at? What amateur rationalization would you like to give up?

Take a moment and think about these questions because the only person who can decide to do what it takes, is you.  You don’t need to win the lottery, receive permission or wait for a lunar eclipse to start.

You can choose to become a professional today.  

P.S. You can find out more about Andrew Symes and how he takes these photos on his blog!