"Being Professional is a Commitment, Not a Title"

The definition of a professional is far more definitive than what one knows and how they present themselves. True professionals have several noteable characteristics. The dictionary defines the word professional, when used as an adjective, as one; A: who receives a financial return for their effort (Paid For What They Do) B: is engaged in a learned profession (Educated) C: is characterized by or conforms to technical or ethical standards (Formal Standards) D: exhibits a courteous, conscientious and general businesslike manner (Good Behavior) E: has membership in organized associations dedicated to implementing and advancing the benefits of one's profession, trade and community (Organized Association).

It Starts with a Choice

Author L. Ron Hubbard is reported to have said: "Don't ever do anything as though you were an amateur.-- Anything you do, do it as a Professional to Professional standards. -- If you have the idea about anything you do that you just dabble in it, you will wind up with a dabble life. There'll be no satisfaction in it because there will be no real production you can be proud of.-- Develop the frame of mind that whatever you do, you are doing it as a professional and move up to professional standards in it.-- Never let it be said of you that you lived an amateur life.-- Professionals see situations and they handle what they see. They are not amateur dabblers.-- So learn this as a first lesson about life. The only successful beings in any field, including living itself, are those who have a professional viewpoint and make themselves and ARE professionals"

How you look, talk, write, act and work determines whether you are a professional or amateur. Society today does not emphasize the importance of professionalism today, so people naturally tend to believe that amateurish work is both normal and acceptable and many businesses go along accepting less-than-professional results from their employees.

Many of our high school graduates cannot read. You can miss 15% or more of the driving–test answers and still get a driver’s license. “Just getting by” is an attitude that many have just come to expect, but it is still the attitude of amateurs.

Someone has wisely compared the differences between professionals and amateurs in the following:

A professional looks, speaks and dresses like a professional. An amateur is sloppy in appearance and speech.

A professional learns every aspect of the job. An amateur skips the learning process whenever possible.

A professional takes the time to discover what is needed and wanted. An amateur assumes what others need and want.

A professional jumps into difficult assignments. An amateur tries to get out of difficult work.

A professional completes projects as soon as possible. An amateur is surrounded by unfinished work piled on unfinished work.

A professional uses higher emotional tones: (Enthusiasm, cheerfulness, interest, contentment.) An amateur uses lower emotional tones: (Anger, hostility, resentment, fear, victimhood.)

A professional produces a high-quality product or service. An amateur produces medium-to-low quality product or service.

A professional produces more than expected. An amateur produces just enough to get by.

A professional does not let mistakes slide by. An amateur ignores or hides mistakes.

A professional handles stewardships very carefully. An amateur is sloppy with their stewardships.

A professional is focused and clear-headed. An amateur is confused and distracted.

A professional faces up to other people’s upsets and problems. An amateur avoids others’ problems.

A professional remains level-headed and optimistic. An amateur gets upset and assumes the worst.

A professional persists until the objective is achieved. An amateur gives up at the first opportunity.



Comparatively speaking, how do you measure up? Are you a professional?


It really is a matter of choice.

Now there is Recognition for Committed Professionals

The “Principles of Good Business”  reflect a common thought that each of us must have:

Simple principles that, when followed, guarantee the trust and confidence of our communities through a common acknowledgement of our expectations.

Click Here for Recognition

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