Beyond Competency: The Art of Professionalism
Every decision is a direction. It shapes the trajectory of a project, venture, relationship, or company.
Being a professional transcends mere competency; it embodies a relentless commitment to high-quality results and meaningful conduct. It entails prioritizing seeing the big picture in perfect harmony with the smallest details. Principles and codes aim to reach the intended results and create an inspired atmosphere. All creative expressions have to be shared and communicated honestly.
Within this paradigm, a professional focuses on objectivity and effectiveness. There is a clear connection between what is intended and the spirit with which the goal is attained. Personal feelings, sentimentality, or superficial drama are intentionally left at the door — authenticity reigns supreme.
Every decision is a direction
Professionals understand that each action shapes the trajectory of a project, venture, relationship, or company. The presence of elevated criteria against which progress is measured, serves as a guiding light, ensuring the transcendence of public enemy #1: mediocrity. True professionalism is continually striving for an impeccable experience, irrespective of challenges.
The fundamental difference between a professional and an amateur is that the professional has made his profession, art, partnership, business, or craft, the center of his life. His “way of life” is his art and vice versa. Conversely, the amateur has a deep fear of being dominated by an activity, because he would immediately become “responsible and accountable” for what he produces. For example, under the banner of a ‘Sunday painter’, the amateur shields their inexperience with the charm of casual expression and leisurely creativity.”
Amateurs live in dilettantism and sentimentality, apologizing in advance and presto for their lack of talent or results in certain areas. While the professional lives in the practice of his skills and its obstacles. He wanders cautiously about passing moods unless they help him to create. The professional is engaged and intentional out of necessity, often facing hardship, while the amateur loves watching himself dabbling, frequently driven by an ego self-image and false modesty. Above all, the amateur is a narcissist.
Finally, the professional has developed a specific relationship with failure and rejection. He can suffer from it greatly. The amateur seeks approval because he resents failure (the only real path to eventual success for the professional). It is always the very last failure that finally leads to the success of the project or plan. Most mortals possess a very small number of failures and trials to utilize in their arsenal. For example, the Wright Brothers failed hundreds of times before they flew their first airplane and landed it!
About the author
Husband | Performance Coach | Visual Artist & Author | Actor & Voice-Over Artist. Wrote Challenge of the Actor & numerous articles on Self-Expression, Genius & Performance, Self-development & Awareness, Acting, Voice and Public Speaking.
Founder of Hollywood Actors Studio (1989) ~ Speakers & Artists International (2003) ~ Quantum Design Connection (2015) ~ Inventor of Aquadigigraphy (1998)
A long-time professional Stage, Television, and Voice Artist, Eric Stone is the Founder/CEO of Speakers & Artists International, Inc.; a California Corporation delivering training programs and consulting in the arenas of Performance, Communication, Public Speaking, and Personal Development. He is also the Founder of Hollywood Actors Studio see http://www.actingconnection.com, in Beverly Hills, CA, where he has been lecturing, directing, and developing actors for stage, film & television, and voice-overs since 1989. Eric Stone also Produces and Directs extensively for the Stage & on several Multimedia Platforms. A Published Author and passionate about Art since 1997, Eric is an Internationally acclaimed Award-Winning visual Artist, represented in seven countries and displayed in many private collections worldwide.
Eric Stone owes his expertise and particular sensitivity to speakers’ and performers’ concerns to a variety of training, experiences, and encounters with countless individuals and group dynamics. Eric began his career as a stage actor in New York City in 1976. Acting, teaching, and directing actors and performers was the first step in beginning a long parallel career as a public speaking skills trainer. Back in 1987, his sheer passion for communication and self-expression led Eric to establish a new field of practice dedicated to public speakers and business communication. The turning point to begin empowering public speakers was the realization early on that all public speakers and great communicators thrive on performance skills and direction. A series of open invitations to work with individuals and groups outside of show business was the decisive element that contributed to the creation of Speakers & Artists International, Inc. The success and undeniable results it produced for people greatly encouraged Eric Stone to continue his journey as a talent developer.
