Why are some people so good at achieving great results, whereas others struggle with the most basic of tasks? Have you ever pondered what can make you unstoppable on the way toward your dreams?

When it comes to discussing one’s huge accomplishments, people often forget that every great achievement is not about finding a magic bullet to winning. It is not about secret tricks or lucky coincidence either. 

High achievers prove to reap huge rewards for their work not because they have access to the hidden information others don’t. Instead, they are characterized by outstanding efficiency due to the things people often refuse to notice.

The truth is that incredible performance is all about attitude and commitment. It is all about the different mindsets — it is all about the difference between amateurs and professionals.

1. Amateurs chase knowledge. Professionals develop skills. 

Knowledge is worthless unless it is applied — Max Lukominskyi

Learning has become a major trend of the 21st century. Besides, it has also become a new form of procrastination. People keep learning by consuming instead of learning by creating. 

However, it is barely possible to create something using the knowledge unless you know how to apply it. What really matters is a set of skills you possess. Because the key to success is not an excessive expertise but the ability to use it. 

The pros are people who CAN DO things. Meanwhile, the amateurs are those who only KNOW HOW TO DO things.  

2. Amateurs try to fast-forward to the final destination. Professionals enjoy the process. 

There are no shortcuts to any place worth going — Beverly Sills

Great ambitions take grit to achieve. Indeed, everything worth doing is going to be neither easy nor fast. It is no surprise that people with the amateur mindset are not willing to invest any time and effort in becoming great. Instead, they are looking for the instant gratification.

However, the truth is that process always proves to be the most important part of a journey. It comprises of the challenges, wins and loses that let you grow in a broad sense. Hence, if you skip the process, you skip the evolution as well. 

Pros stay focused on their goals and gradually approach them. They know that process is what makes them smarter, stronger, and more successful. They know that the process is way more important than the final destination.

Meanwhile, amateurs keep looking for some shortcuts, while staying at the place they are now forever. 

3. Amateurs look for inspiration. Professionals take action.

Amateurs sit and wait for inspiration, the rest of us just get up and go to work― Stephen King

Most people blame their low productivity and poor results on lack of some mysterious and too abstract thing — inspiration. However, the point is that inspiration is not something that should precede the fruitful work. The truth is that it works other way round — the inspiration comes during the process.

Only your own bold actions and tiny wins can inspire you for more. The pros are keen on creating the basis for inspiration by themselves instead of waiting for it to come from the outside. 

Meanwhile, the amateurs choose to procrastinate over important actions, because they mistakenly believe that inspiration is what can let them experience a breakthrough… However, it rarely does.

4. Amateurs brag about their small victories. Professionals let people talk about their massive wins. 

Modesty should be typical of the success of a champion — Major Taylor

According to the Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, all humans have a need to feel respected — there is a need to have self-esteem and self-respect.Indeed, we all want to get a sense of contribution or value. Apparently, humans are looking for recognition.

However, we all do this differently. 

Pros stay humble. No matter how huge their accomplishments are, they would rather let people exaggerate the scope of their achievements while staying reserved themselves. They are too focused on their primary goals and see bragging as a meaningless waste of time. 

Meanwhile, the amateurs often try to magnify their contribution and find a dose of social acceptance. However, this rarely makes their achievements more significant but rather provides an illusion of success. 

5. Amateurs avoid the difficulties. Professionals embrace them.

Good timber does not grow with ease: The stronger wind, the stronger trees; The further sky, the greater length; The more the storm, the more the strength. By sun and cold, by rain and snow, In trees and men good timbers grow — Douglas Malloch

Most people refuse to leave their comfort zone, thereby keep stagnating for years. The pros know that the life within your comfort zone is not going to lead you to the things you want to accomplish. All the opportunities for growth are beyond it.

You cannot achieve anything great without a struggle. You cannot reach anything worth being proud of without going through difficulties. They are an integral part of every story of success.

The difficulties are meant to test your willpower, commitment and readiness to fight for your dreams. They are meant to challenge you to live beyond your comfort zone and provide you with a unique opportunity to grow faster than you ever thought possible.

6. Amateurs rely on luck. Professionals work hard. 

I find that the harder I work, the more luck I seem to have — Thomas Jefferson

Amateurs believe in overnight success and think that every massive win is the matter of luck. They are waiting for some miracle that would solve all their problems and take them closer to the major aspirations. 

However, the truth is that the good things do not come to those who wait. Good things find those who work hard. Pros know that luck is not a prerequisite, but rather a result of strong commitment and dedication.

Successful people are not affiliated with luck. Nor they rely on it. Their success is an outcome of actionability, obsession, and persistence. 

7. Amateurs give up should they face an obstacle. Professionals stay determined whatever it takes. 

There are no traffic jams along the extra mile — Roger Staubach

Patience and persistence always pay off. Period. 

Great accomplishments are not only about success, money, and fame. This is just the peak of an iceberg that most people are ready to notice. Meanwhile, they barely see what stands behind those incredible achievements. 

Multiple failures, excessive ridicule, and day-to-day pressure are those fundamental bricks each and every story of success is built on. The remarkable thing is that these things never become a reason for pros to quit. Instead, they motivate them to keep moving forward. 

8. Amateurs never do what say they want to. Professionals are consistent. 

Consistency is the key! If you can’t be consistent, then you can’t be anything — Tony Gaskins

One of the crucial differences between top performers and dilettantes is the level of consistency.

Amateurs are the inveterate talkers, thinkers, and dreamers. Unfortunately, they rarely prove to be risk and action takers. The desired peaks people like talking about are not likely to be achieved because of the lack of the readiness to commit. 

It’s not enough to say what you want and are going to do. It’s way more important to back your words with real action. Make sure that you bridge the things you dream about with what you do. 

9. Amateurs settle for mediocrity. Pros always strive to be the best. 

Every day, people settle for less than they deserve. They are only partially living or at best living a partial life. Every human being has the potential for greatness — Bo Bennett

Last but not least important difference between two mindsets is the vision. The vision of one’s own life, achievements, and 

Pros always set the bar high and stay in constant self-improvement mode. Moreover, the achievement of a certain goal is always a reason for them to set another one that is more valuable, more desirable, and more complex. This approach lets them keep up the momentum and always be headed towards new horizons. 

The way you set the goals and perceive the ambitions is crucial. For most people, it’s difficult to stay motivated as soon as they reach a certain peak. They instantly lose concentration and find it difficult to gather the pace again. Whereas professionals always remain focused enough to keep moving ahead. 

The takeaway. 

The quality and level of your accomplishments solely depend on your attitude towards work and life. This is the way you approach the regular tasks you set out to do that predefines your chances for success. 

Embrace the professional mindset if you want to take your achievements to the whole new level and become better than you ever thought possible.