Why it pays to be professional?

What is a professional?

Along time ago a professor of mine asked our film class ‘what is a professional’.  After shooting down all our carefully thought up answers, he told us ‘ a professional is someone who gets paid for what he does for a living’.

Now, what that means to us is, it’s not about payment. It’s the fact that you have to be professional to get paid. Your professional attitude and manner is what gets you clients and work. Much like an athlete that trains  to a professional level and then becomes a professional athlete because he now ‘participates for money’, the reason you can work for money is because of your professionalism.

Be professional.

You are an expert in a field that requires specialised knowledge which is why you are paid to do your work and why people seek you out as an authority. Just like a doctor is sought when you need expert advice, he is paid and respected matching this skill.

The way you behave, look, talk and write is a clear indication of what level you abide by.

How to be more professional?

A good friend of mine, who happens to be my brother, works in an ad agency and is often struck by how laid back and humble the CEO and high managerial staff behave.

This may be to do with the position they hold and power they wield, however it is more likely to do with the fact that this is a professional attitude.

It is not a coffee driven, stressed out, Gorden Gekko type that works successfully.

A Jason Bourne type is nearer the mark :

” It’s not a mistake. They don’t make mistakes. They don’t do random. There’s always an objective. Always a target.” [The Bourne Supremacy]

Simple things are best so cover the basics: With clients, fellow designers and as an individual

• Being on time and prompt
• Politeness
• Sharp presentations
• Doing what you said you were going to do and on time
• Doing a job well and having a positive attitude
• Putting the interests of the client before your own interests
• Setting targets and meeting them
• Designing ‘accurate to the pixel’
• Maintaining high standards
• Proof reading
• Proofing designs, prints and photographs

It’s good to remember this is your personal brand whether you work in an agency or freelance; the more honest and dependable you are the more work you’re going to win.

Here is a quote that I think embodies the spirit of what being a pro is. : ‘A professional is a person who can do his best at a time when he doesn’t particularly feel like it’ Alistair Cooke

Why you need to be professional in everything you do?

Whether you are working for a company, are self employed or freelance it pays to be professional.

• Because you are the company
• You will win more clients
• It makes you feel on top of your projects knowing everything is correct
• You will work more efficiently
• You will remain level headed reasonable and positive

These are just a few reasons that outline why a pro attitude is better than an amateur attitude.

Being professional is especially important when you are a freelance it shows that  you are independent enough not to look to other people as a benchmark but create your own level of excellence.

When you are a professional and have a professional attitude you can relax knowing all your work is up to par.The foundation for a strong successful career is given structure.

With clients keeping your end of the bargain and making sure you’re fairly compensated is the standard to build upon. To be a professional and win more work you need to consistently practice a high level of good work and go beyond this.

Here is a quote that looks at a proffesional attitude in a light hearted way but also assures us of its power, ‘I recently went to a new doctor and noticed he was located in something called the Proffesional Building. I felt better right away.’George Carlin

For those of you wondering what the Bull is for :

Charging Bull, sometimes called the Wall Street Bull is a 16-foot long, 3,200 kg  bronze sculpture in Wall Street NY by Arturo Di Modica, depicting a bull, leaning back on its haunches with lowered head as if prepared to charge. The bull is symbolic of a prolonged period of prosperity and optimism in financial markets.

To conclude:

Why it pays to be professional?

Because being professional brings you the work that makes you professional.

Have your say: what do you think makes us professional?

Thanks to wallyg for the Wall Street Bull image

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Ben Rama

Ben Rama is a Graphic Designer, CG artist & Cinematographer from London. He is the founder & creative director at Digital Art Empire Find Ben on Twitter