Not in the zone.

We have all been there. Not in the right state of mind. The inspiration is not there. Something is not right.

Now, until there is shame in some public manner, this state of mind can persist. Our mind has the potential to rationalise anything. “It’s not that I didn’t want to do that, just that the situation was not right.”

This is not an option for the professional. Your surgeon can’t opt out of a surgery because they are not in the zone. Billie Eilish won’t back out of a concert because she’s not feeling like it.

Acting as per the feeling is a luxury that only amateurs can afford. For the professional, the action comes first and the feeling follows.