The amateur's advantage

An amateur pursues a craft for the love of it.

They're armed with the superpower of not requiring the approval of others.

You could argue human nature of requires the approval of others.

Socially, yes, individually, no.

Take two beginners.

One strives for the approval of others, one keeps their head down and focuses on improving.

Both share their work.

The first puts it out there with the expectation of it being loved, the other puts it out having being made with love.

Big difference.

One puts their fate in the hands of others, the other holds their fate in their hands.

Because of how the universe works, when you need something (the approval of others), you're usually not given it. Instead, you're given a lesson. A lesson towards love.

Over time, the amateur who pursues a craft out of love becomes a professional.

Why?

Because a professional is an amateur who gains the approval of others as a side effect of continually following what they love.

From the outside (socially), they've got an advantage.

From the inside (individually), they know they've still got plenty to learn.

From the outside, the professional should encourage the up and coming amateur.

From the inside, they should remind themselves how they got where they are.