Are You A Professional?

There are many things we think of when we think "professional". Education is probably the primary item. Other credentials fall in quickly behind. But, attitude and mannerisms play an important role in being perceived as a professional.

If you find yourself struggling to be taken as a true professional, here are some things to keep in mind.

1. Decide that you ARE a professional!
2. Do everything as a professional with professional standards.
3. Make being a professional part of your daily frame of mind.
4. Learn all the aspects of the job, amateurs take shortcuts.
5. Try to find out everything that is needed and wanted, don't assume you already know.
6. Act, dress and speak like a professional.
7. Learn from mistakes, don't try to hide them or ignore them.
8. Seek out difficult assignments.
9. Stay optimistic and level-headed. Amateurs get upset and tend toward pessimism.
10. Go above and beyond. Amateurs give only what is requested.
11. Don't act like an amateur.

If you are like me, you will find it hard to manage these items every day, under every circumstance. Knowing that you slip once in a while may be holding you back from advancement in your career. Don't let it!

Step out of your comfort zone.

You will never develop yourself fully if you continue to do what you've always done. We are all human. Professionals of every type make mistakes from time to time, lose their temper or get frustrated. It's how you handle yourself once you realize that you've crossed the line that matters. Accept the mistake, learn from it and move on.