8 Ways to NOT Look Like an Amateur

At some point in our careers, we need to decide how serious we are about the pursuit. As the old saying goes: “The thinking that got you into this mess isn’t the thinking you need to get out.” All of us start as beginners or amateurs—and there’s no shame in that. But at some point, some decide that the pursuit is worth the self-discipline it takes to reach the next level, while others decide to stay where they are. I could use a million examples—maybe you’re restarting or changing careers, perhaps you’re a divorced or single mom. You took time off for school or to raise a family. I met a man recently who had spent years caring for his terminally ill wife, and now needed to get back into the workplace. Whatever it is, there’s a point where a “soccer mom,” a man changing careers or someone else in transition decides to become a professional leader. Here’s a handful of decisions he or she needs to consider in order to arrive at that destination: An amateur believes his passion and energy is all he needs to make a successful presentation. A professional dedicates the time and effort it takes to become an effective public speaker. An amateur uses lots of emoticons and exclamation marks in her emails. A professional expresses herself in an articulate, businesslike way. An amateur thinks everyone at the meeting wants to hear his ideas. A professional listens first, then shares based on what he’s heard. An amateur gets dressed for work, and shows up looking like, well ... an amateur. A professional gets dressed for work, and shows up looking like a professional. An amateur figures it’s too late to change. She is what she is. A professional knows it’s never too late to change and is always learning. An amateur is awkward and hesitant when he meets new people. A professional knows that people skills are some of the most important skills you can possess. When an amateur has a problem with her computer, she gets exasperated, and then calls a teenager, spouse or neighbor to fix it. A professional takes a class or finds a mentor so she can take care of it herself. At the very least, she runs through potential options so she doesn’t waste someone else’s time. An amateur believes that it’s OK to turn in a report with grammatical and punctuation errors. After all, it’s the ideas in his report that matter. A professional knows that clear communication is critical. How you express your message is as important as the message itself. I could go on and on, but you get the picture. In today’s world of cut-throat competition, “good enough” isn’t good enough anymore. If you’re serious about your career, growth is a 24/7 task. On my desk is a ceramic paperweight with a quote from Michelangelo, one of the greatest artists of all time. It simply says: “I am still learning.” This article originally appeared on Phil Cooke's blog. Used with permission.