A couple of weeks ago my friend Steve Pressfield’s new book Turning Pro came out. I did get a review copy in the mail as well, but that’s not important because I had already bought it myself and gave the review copy to a good friend who’s turning pro. Oh and in case you like disclaimers, I am not only a huge fan of Steve Pressfield’s but also have the pleasure of having breakfast with him from time-to-time which I consider to be a huge fortune.
So, here we go.
To me turning pro is about the process of going from living an inauthentic life to walking down the path meant destined for you. If you’re really passionate about writing fiction, and you’re an Advertising copywriter – that means you’re living an Amateurish live. If your passion is teaching children how to write, and you work in HR at IBM – that makes you an amateur.
Turning pro is about shutting everything else off, waking up earlier, taking responsibility, putting your shin guards, tuning out your FB stream, getting your shit together and then doing whatever it takes to do what you’re meant to do.
Turning pro is not easy. Turning pro oftentimes involves hitting rock bottom. Turning pro comes with huge sacrifices. Turning pro is something that Steve did himself, going from failed writer to apple picker to living out of his car to ad copywriter to failed writer again to being a true professional (I bet I have the order wrong).
I once had an old boss who told me that if you wanted to be a successful entrepreneur, you needed leather balls. Turning pro is about having leather balls, and whatever the female equivalent would be.
My name is Mario, I am the founder of IdeaMensch, and I am an amateur. I’ve spent the last 10 years working in Advertising, even though my path is helping people with ideas. I’ve built IdeaMensch over nights and weekends, I’ve done an Ironman, I’ve worked remote from Europe and pretty much have done everything in my power to avoid turning pro.
Why? Because I am scared. Because I was marginally successful in Advertising and that meant comfort. Because I don’t want to hit bottom. Because it’s the path less traveled. Because it might be lonely. Because I don’t know if I am good enough to be a pro. Because, well, the list goes on and on.
Now I am turning pro.
I am quitting my job. Friday is my last day. A week later I am hitting the road with three strangers/soon-to-be lifelong friends to go on a 48-state road trip across America. We’re organizing an event in every single state with the goal of inspiring as many people as possible to start turning pro themselves. Or as we say at IdeaMensch, to bring their ideas to life.
But really, this journey is as much about me turning pro as it’s about inspiring others. My path is your path.
Turning pro is the hardest thing you’ll ever do. I’ve been trying to turn pro for the last year. While there’s been considerable momentum for the IdeaMensch road trip, I’ve also ruined a relationship with a wonderful woman, regularly wake up at 4am worrying about something, became a shitty friend and gotten out of shape. When I read the Wikipedia entry on both depression and bipolar disorder, there’s a check mark or two.
If I wasn’t turning pro, I should probably go seek help.
Turning pro is the hardest thing you’ll ever do.
I am trying it.
Nevermind.
I am all in.
Are you?
Then read this book.
Best of luck. This is amazing. Will you be coming to Austin? Would love to meet you.
Friday is my last day too! No more excuses, let’s go pro!
-Dwight
I turned pro in august of 2011 and I can’t tell you how satisfied I am with that decision. great article!!
Dwight, awesome. Well, then let’s publish your interview on Friday.
Erik, we are definitely coming to Austin. On October 17.
Thank you Randy. And congratulations on turning pro.
8.1.2008 was my draft date. Would love to connect when you come to Phoenix.
You are an inspiration, Mario – Godspeed!
Mario, You and I are shareing a similar path this very instant, but you are about a quarter mile ahead of me. Somethings have just happend that made it very obvious what I am supposed to be in life. I hope I get to chat with you and share “war” stories on the 13th in Missoula.
Congrats. Sorry about your relationship. As I just was telling my friends, “after you kick those spurs into that horse, all you can do is grab the reigns and hang on. ”
Trust yourself, trust your horse, and ride like the wind. Don’t look back.
See you in July!
No, you are.
I’d love that. It’s our second to last stop. I better be a pro by then.
Super jazzed to meet you in Missoula. Btw, we are going to have the event at the Winery. A quarter mile is a short distance.
“When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro.” -Hunter S. Thompson
Good look on this next chapter in the book of Mario. Let me know when you are in Beervana, a.k.a Oregon.
David, thanks. Look forward to meet you in person. Portland is scheduled and ready to roar.
http://ideamensch.com/portland/
IM48 always gets you $5 off.
I just found this site and I have to say: Congratulations! Your review has absolutely moved me to go buy the book – but also remember to be a pro at all times. Best of luck on your new adventure – way to go!
Melissa, thank you for your comment. I don’t do a ton of writing on here, but I hope you’ll continue to follow us and check out our daily interviews. Those people are a lot smarter and braver than I anyways. Welcome.
While I am always happy for someone who follows their bliss, success isn’t as sweet when you hurt others on the way. The journey is just as important as the destination.
Sally, I agree with you and I probably know what you’re talking about here. The failed relationship. Please understand that turning pro isn’t about finding success or bliss. It’s not about money, it’s not about titles, fame or anything like that. It’s about finding your path and ultimately happiness.
As I mentioned on Facebook, great post! And, I just bought the book…I’ll be reading it cover to cover tonight.
Thank you Alaia.
Mazel tov. When will you be passing through massachusetts, and what part? Depending on timing and location (I’m in the Amherst-Northampton area)–I might be able to pull together a group of people to talk with you.
If interested, probably best to respond via e-mail, shel at principledprofit.com.
Oh, I just found the link with your schedule, and I see
31. Boston, MA (September 12)32. Hartford, CT (September 14)
You could easily do a lunch or dinner salon here on September 13, and I could try to organize between 5 and 20 big-idea people (of whom there’s no shortage) –we are one hour from Hartford, two hours from Boston. Could even put you up.
Let me know.
Well done sir. And Congrats. Hope to hang out with in Chicago. Let me know what I can do to help you spread the word.
All the best to you Mario! I jumped into turning pro at the age of 30 joint ventured a learning centre but didn’t do a gd job the last time, partner wasnt the right one and i went back to teaching again. Now just watching if I could do it again. With so much responsibility eg having kids in school and college, financial responsibility pulled me back. Keep us updated of your new ventures!
Rahmah, thank you for your comment. It sounds like you’re doing the smart and responsible thing. I certainly would feel different about this if I had kids. Good luck, and keep us posted about your efforts. When the right opportunity comes along, you’ll know.
Thank you Mark. Beers on me in Chicago. you still at Burnett?
Shel, you’re a Mensch. We’ll be in touch as we near MA.
Congrats Mario! Scary huh? I always wanted to move to NY so I took a job in December, left my $45K a year job in Texas, packed all my stuff in 2 wks and moved here. After working 6 months, I realized I was in the best city in the world to make dreams come true but it was clear that they never would working for someone else! So I turned Pro on June 1st and took the leap to start my own company and pursue my own dreams! I may need the name of your therapist if this doesn’t work out! J/K. You made the right decision and WE’LL make it buddy…one step at a time!
Freddie
Freddie, thanks for leaving this comment. It means a lot to me. Good luck with everything, and let m know when you’re ready for your IdeaMensch interview.
Go Mario Go. I commend your first steps as well as your desire to do what makes you happy. It is not a single decision but a daily grind to find what makes you happy… keep searching my man as it is a moving target and takes all the energy and thought we can muster. Go Mario Go…
Brian, great insight. Let’s do this. Thanks for following our journey.
Great interview and the book I just ordered. Was looking at your plans and did I miss something? No Dallas road trip?? What do I need to do to bring you here and have all of us crazy “pro” people learn from Yoda?
love your post. And right there with you. I have a friend who I gave the book to who has a longer path to go pro… but he too is doing it. Hard or not.
You are not alone. There is an army of people working to go pro… but there are also a lot of amateurs out there… be aware of them.
Are you using your experience and connections from the world of advertising to take Ideamensh further? It’s important that people know it’s not a good idea to turn pro by dropping everything they have all at once, such as quitting a job without an idea of what they’ll do to pay the bills. As you mentioned, you spent 10 years working on Ideamensch and most people aiming to turn pro may not have invested that much timei n a strong interest.
Jen, thanks for your comment. I actually just worked on IdeaMensch for a few years before turning pro. Honestly, I think this situation is different for everyone. I’ve seen people succeed by “turning pro” overnight and being forced to grow their business and I’ve seen people build their businesses over time, working nights next to a full-time job. There is no right or wrong. The only thing that matters is that you’re doing it.