Most people meander through life without paying attention to one of the most important success components which is professionalism. The practice of professionalism will make the difference in your career as to how quick you bounce and how high you go. If you want to be the best that you can be, then you will commit to professionalism. If you want to reach the highest level of performance, then you will commit to professionalism. Professionalism will set you apart from the rest. Wouldn’t you much rather stand out than to simply blend in with the average?
Professionalism is not just something that you should practice in your career, though. It can make the difference in your workouts too. Don’t you want to have great workouts every time? Commit to professionalism for every set. What does that mean? It means that you will follow your instructors guidance and that you will strive to stay on point with great form for the entire length of the set. This adherence to precision with your training will get you more strength, tone and balance faster.
Professionalism is the key that will unlock your access to big dreams, big goals and big results.
Be sure to find a professional guide along the way. If you want be professional, hang out with professionals. In fitness, find a place like HOTWORX where you can have access to cutting edge infrared training and high level virtual instruction for your workout needs. Then strive to be as good, or better than the instructors. Bring your best efforts for every posture and every set.
Never forget that professionalism and discipline are almost one in the same. They require each other. You can’t reach a state of professionalism without discipline.
Webster’s defines professionalism as “the conduct, aims, or qualities that characterize or mark a profession or a professional person.”¹ I define it as the sum of everything that you practice in the effort to be the best that you can be. To raise the sum, strive for excellence in every aspect of everything that you do in life.
What is a professional person? She is a pro at what she does! She wants to excel at her job and do well at her fitness program. Her image is always perfect on the job and her form is a top priority for her workouts. She has a thirst for knowledge. She has a burning desire to be the best that she can be.
To better understand professionalism, let’s talk about what is the opposite, such as that of a slouch. A slouch is the anti-professional. This type of individual lacks self discipline and motivation. A slouch projects laziness. Nothing disappoints me more than to witness slouch behavior.
Don’t be lazy. Be a winner. Be a professional in everything that you do.
I was reading an article online today entitled “What It Takes to be a Professional: The Things You Can Control” by Chris Longstreet, CEO of the Society for Hospitality Management. Longstreet told a story about the work ethic of Matt Kata, and quoted his baseball philosophy with three things necessary to reach professional success: "Attitude, concentration, and effort," because, "those are the easy things to control. I know that the numbers will be a reflection of that."²
In business your are viewed and remembered as a member of one of two categories, mom and pop, or professional. In fitness you either strive for excellence and train like a pro, or you simply go through the motions. The results are always relative. Like Kata said, the numbers will be a “reflection” of your attitude, focus and work towards professionalism. The pro gets the results and the amateur always gets something way less. Be professional.
Professionalism is your key to business and fitness success!
