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July 22, 2010 - ISSN# 1545-2646
When you hear the word “Professional” what images come to mind? Doctor, Lawyer, Custodian, Carpenter, Parent?
When you look up the word “Professional” in the dictionary it states – characteristic of or pertaining to the engagement in an occupation that requires training and specialized study.
This week I ask you to look at yourself and question yourself – are you a “Professional.” Someone that is engaged in an occupation and continues to learn about their area of expertise through training and study? If you initially answer yes to this question, I congratulate you for stepping up to be a professional. If you hesitate and waffle about the training and study part then just maybe you are in need of assessing - are you the “Professional” you could be?
Building on last weeks article about development, being a professional requires a continuous learning element of your regular mental investment routine. Maybe it is taking continuing educational credits provided through your industries associations, attending night school, searching the internet for pertinent business articles or even meeting with members of a Master Minds group to share ideas, all of these are investments into training and study of your profession.
Unfortunately, there are many who claim to be professionals but do not hold themselves to a defined standard. This deviation causes not only them personally but also entire groups of people to be viewed in the marketplace as somewhat less than being a professional. Take for instance sales people. I have met some of the most professional people in business and they are sales representatives not doctors or lawyers etc. They are at the top of their game because they are experts in their area of focus. They are constantly trying to improve themselves and improve others. They use their investment into training and study to solve problems for their clients who in turn buy their solutions at a better than average profit margin.
I have also met many so called professional sales people that are just plain lazy. No investment into themselves to become experts. Not being open to others input to help them improve. Waiting for the phone to ring, taking low hanging fruit away from colleagues just to say they are doing their job.
It happens in all professions. Some are better than others in self cleaning the bad fruit from the ripe fruit.
This week it is time to make a self commitment to being the “Professional” you can be. Set a course of expertise development and take charge of your direction. Don’t wait for it to come to you, go out and grab the golden ring of success.
Want help becoming the “Professional” you can be? Give JKL Associates a call – 313-527-7945
Questions or comments - email us at partners@jklassociates.com or call our Office at (313) 527-7945
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