What Does “Professional” Really Mean?

Today on the podcast, Chris Elmore and his sidekick, Chris Loudermilk, discuss what “professional” means in the trades. While it can mean something different to everyone you ask, the guys give their opinion on what “professional” means to them. 

Being a Student

Are you constantly learning about your trade? Not just the technical but also the communication and sales aspects? Most techs stop learning once they “make it.” Whatever “making it” means to you, never stop being a student. Any professional athlete that has a long career will tell you that they were always studying the game. They were always learning and practicing. This learning and practicing didn’t end when they “made it” to the pros. They remained students of the game. 

Knowing Your Stats

Another sign of professionalism is knowing your stats. The top professional athletes know their numbers. They track their own numbers and know exactly where they stand in relation to expectations, their teammates, and the game in general. How many of you trade and know your own numbers? Do you rely on someone else to tell you your numbers and where you stand? someone is using your stats to make decisions about your future. Do you want to be surprised and at the mercy of someone else’s knowledge? Track and know your own stats so you know where you stand. 

Paying Attention to Details

Any top professional athlete pays attention to details. Whether it’s tracking the ounces or individual calories of food they consume, they pay attention. They know that any few of those small details can and will make a difference. Do you pay attention to the small stuff? The small stuff or details are the things that average techs don’t usually do. It might be being clean shaven everyday. It might be carrying an extra uniform so you can make sure you are as clean as possible for the next customer. It might be keeping your tools fanatically clean. There are thousands of details. Which ones should you pay attention to? 

Whether its a professional athlete, a doctor, lawyer, or other “professional”, all of the top professionals do these things. You have the same right to be called a professional just like these that society sees as professionals. But do you act like it?
 

Are you truly a professional? 

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