What Do You See When You Look In The Mirror?

'Image & Professionalism' we hear these words being thrown around in conversation like cheap tokens, almost as frequently as their counterparts 'quality', 'service', and 'value'. So what does 'Image & Professionalism' really mean, and what do you see when you look in the mirror?

A funny thing happens when you overuse a word. It loses its power. It loses its effectiveness. Overuse weakens it?sort of like tissue paper.

"Yuck!" Now that was a bad analogy. Sure I could have changed it ? but I liked the image, it served to make a point.

Soggy Tissue Paper?

One moment you were reading along, paying close attention, and then (in the words of Emeril), "Bham!" You had visions of soggy tissue paper floating through your mind.

Now that was an image.

Do I have a point? Sure I do. An image is a fragile thing and can be created and destroyed very easily. As the saying goes, if you don't actively create an image for yourself, someone else will. Permit me to share one definition of 'image':

Persona, image -- ((Jungian psychology) a personal facade that one presents to the world; "a public image is as fragile as Humpty Dumpty")

Hold on to that thought for a moment, I want to get to 'Professionalism'. Here's the definition for that word:

A set of characteristics or behaviours that are worthy of the high standards of an occupation that requires advanced training in a specialized field.

Okay, so now you know the dictionary definitions, did they match yours? To the definition of professionalism I'd add a professional is someone paid to render a service - unlike a volunteer who does not.

Pay The Piper?

Now before you disagree with me and say you're a professional and a volunteer, I'd challenge you to research the word a little further. It's this whole payment aspect that seems to pre-qualify the word.

Also, pay attention to the 'requires advanced training' component. If you're a highly trained paid individual ? then by definition you are a professional.

If your actions are seen by others to mirror those qualities (in other words the image you portray) then you are seen as demonstrating professionalism. Of course there is that issue of 'worthiness', but let's not cloud things.

If a Tree Falls In The Woods?

So does that mean if no one sees you acting professionally then you're not a professional? It's like the question about the tree falling in the woods, does it make a sound if no one is there? Does that mean someone could arbitrarily decide you're not worthy of the title? Does that mean that someone could come along and damage your image with negative comments?

Sure it does. It means all these things and more. In fact the whole image and professionalism debate will most likely carry on for ever. At the end of the day the measure of a person will always be, to some degree, externally defined by the opinions and observations of others.

Who's Watching?

However the real test of your character ? because that after all is what we're really talking about here ? is defined by what you do when no one is watching. It's how you act when the chips are down. It's how you speak to others when you're tired and low, and as an unknown author once said, "Don't be content with being average. Average is as close to bottom as it is to the top." Be excellent!

So what do you see when you look in the mirror?

AUTHOR BIO: James Burchill is a freelance marketing consultant and author. He's also the editor and associate publisher for two of the automotive aftermarket industry's leading print publications and he's the publisher of http://www.CorrectLink.com - a new Internet publication for the automotive aftermarket in Canada.

In between all that, James helps people 'Sell more stuff, and make more money!' and publishes a series of informational and Internet products about advertising and marketing. His main website is http://www.JamesBurchill.com

---

The ?Stand-Out? Principle

Think for a moment about all the people you know... Read More

Aging Gracefully Through Vastu Shastra

Aging is inevitable, but its most negative effects can be... Read More

Mental, Emotional and Physical Prosperity

To create true, lasting prosperity, almost any guru can tell... Read More

Sometimes Being Unfocused is the Risk You Need to Take

I was accused recently of being unfocused. This lady challenged... Read More

Will You Be Part of the Bigger Picture?

With all the media attention you've probably become aware that... Read More

How To Bypass Your Conscious Mind and Program Yourself For Success

Emile Coué, the French psychotherapist once said: "When the imagination... Read More

Are You The Driver Or The Passenger?

In your journey through life are you the "driver" or... Read More

Self Improvement and Self Growth

Nowadays the terms self-improvement, self-growth and self-help have become popular.... Read More

Ten Ways to Add Abundance To Your Mind, Your Life & Your World

Abundance isn't something you find from the outside. Abundance begins... Read More

Do I Need to Visualize to Manifest my Desires?

You've heard me talk in previous articles about Deliberate attraction.... Read More

The Secret Weapon For Gaining Wealth

Recently a friend of mine was talking about all the... Read More

When Will Love Find me?

Love. You may notice that I made that an entire... Read More

The Art of Manifestation

We should strive to attain a desireless state. As long... Read More

Create a Climate for Success by Mastering Your Total Image - Part 1

Your Total Image is made up of several essential components:?... Read More

How to Take Control of Your Self Confidence

If you think success, happiness and love are going to... Read More

Become a Practicing Artist

At heart, everyone's an artist. In practice, of course, this... Read More

First Impressions ? Turn Fear Into Courage

The top business people all say the same thing ?... Read More

Secret of Wealth

"Before I had a lot of money, I was really... Read More

Ending the Internal Conflict

If you read personal growth or self-help books at all,... Read More

Wise Hericlitus

"You cannot step into the same river twice"Hericlitus spoke those... Read More

Brainology... Lets Start Learning Something Everyday, Every Moment

Every normal human being learn in his life's each and... Read More

The Good Luck Recipe!

Good luck was not part of my life for many... Read More

Invisible Braces, Viable Solutions

Invisible braces, like Invisalign, are most popular among adults. For... Read More

How To Become Insane

Somebody once said that insanity is doing the same thing... Read More

Why Cant You be More Like Me?

Here is a non-scientific, but fun way to see which... Read More

Make A Superb First Impression

It is extremely important that people have a good first... Read More

Do You Have Tickets To Your Dream Theater?

I'd like you to do an exercise with me.I want... Read More

Etch a Sketch or Oil Painting: Where Do You Need to Take a Stand?

Maybe can be a great place. It's full of possibility,... Read More

Attract Your Ideal Relationship Using the Law of Attraction

First, I'll need to explain what Law of Attraction is... Read More

Whats Your Plan? Designing Your Future

So you have set your goals for the year. Congratulations!I... Read More

How We Evolved Into An Un-Charming Culture...(And What To Do About It)

Charm did not play a very large role in that... Read More

What Is Your Legacy?

During a recent speech, I told the audience that my... Read More

Releasing the Illusion of Control

It's amazing how easy it is to convince ourselves that... Read More