The person who holds the world record for basketball free throws shot over 2,000 consecutive baskets in a row. But if you put them in a stadium and a tight score between the teams, they might not have been able to shoot two. The main difference between playing basketball in a rec league and playing basketball in the NBA is pressure.

If you’re going to take something seriously as a profession, you’re going to also need to learn to work under pressure. Whether that’s high stakes, deadlines, public sentiment—it all comes with the territory. 

Are you going to practice and play like you’re getting paid a million bucks, before you get paid a dollar? Are you willing to build the skills and capacity to deal with the pressure that comes with going pro? You decide.