--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Amateurs wait for inspiration. The real…" description: "\"Amateurs wait for inspiration. The real pros get up and go to work.\" — Harvey Mackay" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d38/harvey-mackay-1775_amateur_amateurs-wait-for-inspiration-the-real-p_1477185.png" --- # Amateurs wait for inspiration. The real pros get up and go… ![“Amateurs wait for inspiration. The real pros get up and go to work.” quote by Harvey Mackay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d38/harvey-mackay-1775_amateur_amateurs-wait-for-inspiration-the-real-p_1477185.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d38/harvey-mackay-1775_amateur_amateurs-wait-for-inspiration-the-real-p_1477185.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d38/harvey-mackay-1775_amateur_amateurs-wait-for-inspiration-the-real-p_1477185.png) > “Amateurs wait for inspiration. The real pros get up and go to work.” [Harvey Mackay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harvey-mackay/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Success comes from disciplined work, not waiting for fleeting inspiration. **In simple terms:** Pros work, amateurs wait. Key Takeaway Take consistent action. Themes work ethic discipline productivity Mood practical encouraging Type advice inspirational When to use this quote - creative projects - career development - fitness training Key Concepts habit formation motivation Questions to Reflect On - How do you cultivate discipline? - When is inspiration useful? A Different Perspective Inspiration can still spark ideas. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Amateurs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/amateurs/) [Inspiration](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspiration/) [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) [Work](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/work/) ## Related quotes > [Amateurs sit and wait for inspiration, the rest of us just get up and go to work.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-king/amateurs-sit-and-wait-for-inspiration-the-rest-of-us-just-get-up-and/) [Stephen King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-king/) > [You know honestly, I enjoy working with everyone because remember, these were all real pros that had been around the business a long time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/burt-ward/you-know-honestly-i-enjoy-working-with-everyone-because-remember/) [Burt Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/burt-ward/) > [I'm blessed that I can leave it to the pros at work and red-carpet events, because I can't say I'm adept. Still, I'm definitely…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/becki-newton/i-m-blessed-that-i-can-leave-it-to-the-pros-at-work-and-red-carpet/) [Becki Newton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/becki-newton/) > [“Amateurs look for inspiration; the rest of us just get up and go to work.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-close/amateurs-look-for-inspiration-the-rest-of-us-just-get-up-and-go-to/) [Chuck Close](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-close/) > [Amateurs believe their enthusiasm will suffice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mason-cooley/amateurs-believe-their-enthusiasm-will-suffice/) [Mason Cooley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mason-cooley/) > [Amateurs... venture into scenes that a writer with more experience (and more professional concern) would bypass or eschew altogether.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-mailer/amateurs-venture-into-scenes-that-a-writer-with-more-experience-and/) [Norman Mailer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-mailer/) > [“Inspiration is for amateurs--the rest of us just show up and get to work. - Chuck Close”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-fig/inspiration-is-for-amateurs-the-rest-of-us-just-show-up-and-get-to/) Joe Fig > [Waiting for inspiration is for amateurs; professionals get to work.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-genn/waiting-for-inspiration-is-for-amateurs-professionals-get-to-work/) [Robert Genn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-genn/) > [Turning pro is a mindset. If we are struggling with fear, self-sabotage, procrastination, self-doubt, etc., the problem is, we're thinking like amateurs. Amateurs don't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-pressfield/turning-pro-is-a-mindset-if-we-are-struggling-with-fear-self-sabotage/) [Steven Pressfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-pressfield/) > [Amateurs want to be right. Professionals want to make money.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-greenspan/amateurs-want-to-be-right-professionals-want-to-make-money/) [Alan Greenspan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-greenspan/) > [“...most gentlemen of breeding considered themselves amateurs at all kinds of disciplines. Go all the way back to Jefferson, who collected fossils and wrote…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-hitt/most-gentlemen-of-breeding-considered-themselves-amateurs-at-all/) [Jack Hitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-hitt/) > [“True artists unburden their envies and work toward encouraging amateurs.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aniruddha-sastikar/true-artists-unburden-their-envies-and-work-toward-encouraging/) [Aniruddha Sastikar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aniruddha-sastikar/) > [“Inspiration is for amateurs,” Close says. “The rest of us just show up and get to work.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mason-currey/inspiration-is-for-amateurs-close-says-the-rest-of-us-just-show-up/) [Mason Currey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mason-currey/) > [Inspiration is for amateurs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/inspiration-is-for-amateurs/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Most amateurs are so worried about mis-hitting the shot or hitting it off line, they don't make an aggressive move. You'd be surprised how…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keegan-bradley/most-amateurs-are-so-worried-about-mis-hitting-the-shot-or-hitting-it/) [Keegan Bradley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keegan-bradley/) ## More by Harvey Mackay > [It doesn't matter if they say you can't do it. It only matters if you say you can't.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harvey-mackay/it-doesn-t-matter-if-they-say-you-can-t-do-it-it-only-matters-if-you/) [Harvey Mackay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harvey-mackay/) > [Life is too short to wake up with regrets. So love the people who treat you right. Forget about those who don’t. Believe everything…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harvey-mackay/life-is-too-short-to-wake-up-with-regrets-so-love-the-people-who/) [Harvey Mackay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harvey-mackay/) > [Be like the turtle. If he didn't stick his neck out, he wouldn't get anywhere at all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harvey-mackay/be-like-the-turtle-if-he-didn-t-stick-his-neck-out-he-wouldn-t-get/) [Harvey Mackay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harvey-mackay/) > [Keep the customer actively involved throughout your presentation, and watch your results improve.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harvey-mackay/keep-the-customer-actively-involved-throughout-your-presentation-and/) [Harvey Mackay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harvey-mackay/) > [Your workforce is your most valuable asset. The knowledge and skills they have represent the fuel that drives the engine of business - and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harvey-mackay/your-workforce-is-your-most-valuable-asset-the-knowledge-and-skills/) [Harvey Mackay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harvey-mackay/) > [I've learned that people will seldom let you down if they understand that your destiny is in their hands, and vice versa.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harvey-mackay/i-ve-learned-that-people-will-seldom-let-you-down-if-they-understand/) [Harvey Mackay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harvey-mackay/) > [People begin to become successful the minute they decide to be.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harvey-mackay/people-begin-to-become-successful-the-minute-they-decide-to-be/) [Harvey Mackay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harvey-mackay/) > [I have ten marathons under my belt, including four New York races and one Boston.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harvey-mackay/i-have-ten-marathons-under-my-belt-including-four-new-york-races-and/) [Harvey Mackay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harvey-mackay/) > [Southwest Airlines is successful because the company understands it's a customer service company. It also happens to be an airline.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harvey-mackay/southwest-airlines-is-successful-because-the-company-understands-it-s/) [Harvey Mackay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harvey-mackay/) > [Pay attention to those employees who respectfully ask why. They are demonstrating an interest in their jobs and exhibiting a curiosity that could eventually…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harvey-mackay/pay-attention-to-those-employees-who-respectfully-ask-why-they-are/) [Harvey Mackay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harvey-mackay/) > [The employees who share innovative ideas may also be the folks who have some hidden talents that would help incorporate their suggestions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harvey-mackay/the-employees-who-share-innovative-ideas-may-also-be-the-folks-who/) [Harvey Mackay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harvey-mackay/) > [Leadership does not mean getting people to do their job. It means getting people to do their best.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harvey-mackay/leadership-does-not-mean-getting-people-to-do-their-job-it-means/) [Harvey Mackay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harvey-mackay/) > [It's only lonely at the top if you forget all the people you met along the way and fail to acknowledge their contributions to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harvey-mackay/it-s-only-lonely-at-the-top-if-you-forget-all-the-people-you-met/) [Harvey Mackay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harvey-mackay/) > [If you walk backwards, you will never stub your toe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harvey-mackay/if-you-walk-backwards-you-will-never-stub-your-toe/) [Harvey Mackay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harvey-mackay/) > [As you schedule individual tasks, give yourself a cushion. Mark the due date a few days ahead of the actual deadline so you have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harvey-mackay/as-you-schedule-individual-tasks-give-yourself-a-cushion-mark-the-due/) [Harvey Mackay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harvey-mackay/) [Explore all 209 Harvey Mackay quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harvey-mackay/) ## More Amateur quotes > [“The amateur doesn't appreciate the need for experimentation. He wants his experts to know.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/b-f-skinner-2/the-amateur-doesn-t-appreciate-the-need-for-experimentation-he-wants/) [B.F. Skinner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/b-f-skinner-2/) > [A professional is a man who can do his job when he doesn't feel like it. An amateur is a man who can't do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-agate/a-professional-is-a-man-who-can-do-his-job-when-he-doesn-t-feel-like/) [James Agate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-agate/) > [My father was a GP; my mother was a teacher and amateur actress. My father was a bit of a storyteller, but the acting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ciaran-hinds/my-father-was-a-gp-my-mother-was-a-teacher-and-amateur-actress-my/) [Ciaran Hinds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ciaran-hinds/) > [I did a musical when I was 17, an amateur show, and I loved it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taron-egerton/i-did-a-musical-when-i-was-17-an-amateur-show-and-i-loved-it/) [Taron Egerton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taron-egerton/) > [Every artist was first an amateur.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/every-artist-was-first-an-amateur/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [“The definition of a professional is one who does a job well even when they don't like it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-sheinwald/the-definition-of-a-professional-is-one-who-does-a-job-well-even-when/) Alan Sheinwald > [I think most amateurs dread playing a 180-plus-yard par 3 even more than a hard par 4. Part of it is psychological: You think…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernie-els/i-think-most-amateurs-dread-playing-a-180-plus-yard-par-3-even-more/) [Ernie Els](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernie-els/) > [I read a lot of 'Nancy Drew' books as a kid and considered myself a bit of an amateur detective.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chelsea-cain/i-read-a-lot-of-nancy-drew-books-as-a-kid-and-considered-myself-a-bit/) [Chelsea Cain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chelsea-cain/) > [Professionalism is environmental. Amateurism is anti-environmental. Professionalism merges the individual into patterns of total environment. Amateurism seeks the development of the total awareness of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marshall-mcluhan/professionalism-is-environmental-amateurism-is-anti-environmental/) [Marshall McLuhan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marshall-mcluhan/) > [You count a man's U.S. Amateur titles after he starts winning professional majors. That's something any intelligent golf writer with a sense of history…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-jenkins/you-count-a-man-s-u-s-amateur-titles-after-he-starts-winning/) [Dan Jenkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-jenkins/) > [Most amateurs are so worried about mis-hitting the shot or hitting it off line, they don't make an aggressive move. You'd be surprised how…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keegan-bradley/most-amateurs-are-so-worried-about-mis-hitting-the-shot-or-hitting-it/) [Keegan Bradley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keegan-bradley/) > [Amateur boxing is one of the safest sports around.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-calzaghe/amateur-boxing-is-one-of-the-safest-sports-around/) [Joe Calzaghe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-calzaghe/) > [“Amateur: One reckless enough to risk being interesting.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-barringer/amateur-one-reckless-enough-to-risk-being-interesting/) David Barringer > [Time management is probably the biggest thing I've had to learn to deal with being on the PGA Tour, whether it be media or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rickie-fowler/time-management-is-probably-the-biggest-thing-i-ve-had-to-learn-to/) [Rickie Fowler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rickie-fowler/) > [When people buy, rescue, or otherwise acquire a dog from unscrupulous breeders or amateur rescue groups, they are making a decision with ethical consequences.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-katz/when-people-buy-rescue-or-otherwise-acquire-a-dog-from-unscrupulous/) [Jon Katz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-katz/) Browse all 352 Amateur quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Amateurs wait for inspiration. 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