My husband called me a professional last night, and no, we weren’t having the smexy times, lol.
EDITED: Okay, I decided after much stomach churning to delete most of the post because it wasn’t – ahem – professional. It was me, whining. And no one likes to listen to someone whine, do they?
But I do want to hear about what you consider being a professional means. Is it how you act? Is it what you do, how you dress? Does it make a difference WHAT you do as to how “professional” you are? Do you equate a college degree with a certain amount of professionalism?
For me, being a professional as a writer means more than just how many plays/books I’ve published or how much money I’ve made. It also means I need to be willing to listen to opinions on my work and to take what is helpful, and think hard about the rest before discarding anything. It means being open to learning.
This is also a philosophy I try my hardest to use in my Day Job, too. Because no one is perfect. (Which is why I finally edited the heck out of this post.)
What is your definition of a professional? I’d love to know, so please share, would you?
~oOo~
Until next time, be good to each other!
I don’t know. I think perhaps that Mr. Rogers and our kindergarten teachers had it right, being professional means treating others well and with respect.
This means that if I ask for someone to provide an opinion to me, I accept the opinion and give it time to percolate before I respond. If I don’t agree with the person, then I thank them and move on. On the other hand, if someone asks for my opinion, I provide it in the least emotional manner possible (unless I know them and have worked with them for a while and they understand my sense of humor). If the person doesn’t like it or use it, I shrug and move forward. However, I have stopped “playing” with some people based on their responses and inability let the critique go. I don’t need someone to agree with me, but if I give you my opinion per your request, then accept it. You don’t need to use it and I am okay with that. However, bringing it up, over and over and over, means that I won’t be playing with that person in the future. No anger, no judgment, but I don’t have the time or the emotional well to keep going there with anyone.
I will say that my judgment of a relationship has been wrong and someone I thought got my sense of humor didn’t. It hasn’t yet cost me a friend, but it’s getting close. Oddly, I am the one who is getting close to being done. I am not angry, but I am tired of it. Bringing up “stories” about someone in front of others to show the other person in a bad light seems borderline abusive in a very passive aggressive way.
Well said. And yes, I agree that putting your friends in a bad light IS abusive and it IS passive/aggressive. I’m sorry you’re going through that!
When I’m not writing I’m playing the dog game. So many people beg for an “honest objective” opinion of their dog, then go to the ugly place if I don’t fawn all over said dog. Really sucks the fun out of what’s supposed to be a leisure activity
To me, being a professional while writing means to be serious about my craft, network with others, and offer to help when you can. Also, I think it’s important to always think before you act (speak or write). Do you want to be quoted on something? Will you regret a comment later? All to often, I hear writers bashing another successful writer. It makes me very angry. My rant is over. lol
To me, being a professional while writing means to be serious about my craft, network with others, and offer to help when you can. Also, I think it’s important to always think before you act (speak or write). Do you want to be quoted on something? Will you regret a comment later? All to often, I hear writers bashing another successful writer. It makes me very angry. My rant is over. lol