Are You a Professional?c480 F 199681613 IxOKsbANJj3kt1mKcMMsIWspPUwoxky5

How you look, talk, write, act and work determines whether you are a professional or an amateur.

Society does not emphasize the importance of professionalism, so people tend to believe that amateur work is normal. Many businesses accept less-than-good results.

Schools graduate students who cannot read. You can miss 15% of the driving-test answers and still get a driver license. “Just getting by” is an attitude many people accept. But it is the attitude of amateurs.

To succeed, make a firm decision to be a professional. “Don’t ever do anything as though you were an amateur. Anything you do, do it as a Professional to Professional standards.” — L. Ron Hubbard

To help you move yourself up to a professional level in everything you do, consider these 18 qualities of a professional.

18 Differences Between a Professional and an Amateur

  • A professional learns every aspect of the job. An amateur skips the learning process whenever possible.
  • A professional carefully discovers what is needed and wanted. An amateur assumes what others need and want or simply does not care.
  • A professional looks, speaks and dresses like a professional. An amateur is sloppy in appearance and speech.
  • A professional keeps his or her work area clean and orderly. An amateur has a messy, confused or dirty work area.
  • A professional is focused and clear-headed. An amateur is confused and distracted.
  • A professional does not let mistakes slide by. An amateur ignores or hides mistakes.
  • 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 top of unfinished work.
  • A professional remains level-headed and optimistic during emergencies. An amateur gets upset and assumes the worst.
  • A professional handles money and accounts very carefully. An amateur is sloppy with money or accounts.480 F 136249680 hTPy7R7WJGOMojRKfBn2ygAH3psjP3Nx
  • A professional faces up to other people’s upsets and problems. An amateur avoids others’ problems.
  • A professional uses higher emotional tones: Enthusiasm, cheerfulness, interest, contentment. An amateur uses lower emotional tones: anger, hostility, resentment, fear, depression.
  • A professional persists until the objective is achieved. An amateur gives up at the first opportunity.
  • A professional produces more than expected. An amateur produces just enough to get by.
  • A professional produces a high-quality product or service. An amateur produces a medium-to-low quality product or service.
  • A professional earns high pay. An amateur earns low pay and feels it’s unfair.
  • A professional has a promising future. An amateur has an uncertain future.
  • A professional finds and thrives in solutions. An amateur finds and suffers from problems.

The first step to making yourself a professional is to decide you ARE a professional.

Are you a professional?