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

---

Can You Change a Man?

Recently, at a public function where I was the Toastmaster,... Read More

Demanding Miracles

Have you ever had an overwhelming problem or issue? Was... Read More

What is the Key to a Successful Life?

An ideal is not the dream that can never be... Read More

Achieving Your Vision of Abundance

How can we have more abundance in our lives? It... Read More

Be Not Afraid, Ye of Midlife

Millions of people face huge changes in their lives during... Read More

Why Do We Settle? You Have the POWER to Change the Outcome

Why do we settle for less and then make excuses... Read More

What Message Are You Sending Out?

A woman phoned me the other day to ask me... Read More

Turn Whats Bothering You Into A Blessing

That which you desire to remove from your life is... Read More

Mirror, Mirror

The Concept of Beauty"Mirror Mirror on the Wall, who's the... Read More

Awaken The Genie Within

Ancient lore tells us that there's a magical genie who... Read More

Finders Keepers

Do you remember your younger years when you and your... Read More

Success Is In Your Hands - For Things To Change, I Must Change First!

Do you know that many people feel they cannot achieve... Read More

The Magic of Breathing

So, what is magic? Is it an illusion or is... Read More

Vacation Longing: What You Can Learn From It

Every person's life journey is unique. Figuring out what you... Read More

You Cant Direct the Wind but You Can Adjust the Sails

Dear Friend,First of all, let's take a look at the... Read More

Are You Thinking About What Youre Thinking About

Do you realize that your belief system is ultimately what... Read More

I Believe In Man

I have a deep and abiding belief that there lies... Read More

Creating Your Future

The questions of life may call to you. You may... Read More

Four Proven Techniques On How To Capture Positive Habits

Bad habits, we all have them. They keep us... Read More

Whats in a Name ?

What's In a Name?How often have you thought about the... Read More

How To Improve Your Life Instantly!

Your mind power makes what you focus on happen. You... Read More

Perception Is Reality

"We think, therefore we are."God always gives us what we... Read More

Heal Thyself First

As I connect with more and more women I am... Read More

You Can?t Seek for Change and Control at the Same Time

I saw a coaching client recently who wanted to get... Read More

Write Goals, Say Prayers, and See Your Successful Future

Would you like to have more success in your life?... Read More

Heres What I Got Out Of ?What The Bleep Do We Know?

Your mind is so powerful that what you focus on... Read More

Respect Is A Four-Letter Word

One of the most important needs for every human being... Read More

You?re Right to an Abundant Life

We are all part of the universe. The universe is... Read More

Universal Law

Have you ever had "one of those days" when absolutely... Read More

Jedi Mind Tricks - How To Make Suggestions Like A Jedi Master

Being a child of the Seventies I'm a real fan... Read More

I Like to be Unreasonable

"Progress is made by only unreasonable man" -- Gorge Bernard... Read More

Whos World Is It? The World Is Yours - Invite Success

Who's World Is It?Who's world really is it? Is it... Read More

How to Start a Conversation Effortlessly

The ability to converse effortlessly with those you encounter is... Read More