Attraction Information

What Do You See When You Look In The Mirror?


'Image & Professionalism' we hear these words being thrown around in conversation like cheap tokens, almost as frequently as their counterparts 'quality', 'service', and 'value'. So what does 'Image & Professionalism' really mean, and what do you see when you look in the mirror?

A funny thing happens when you overuse a word. It loses its power. It loses its effectiveness. Overuse weakens it?sort of like tissue paper.

"Yuck!" Now that was a bad analogy. Sure I could have changed it - but I liked the image, it served to make a point.

Soggy Tissue Paper?

One moment you were reading along, paying close attention, and then (in the words of Emeril), "Bham!" You had visions of soggy tissue paper floating through your mind.

Now that was an image.

Do I have a point? Sure I do. An image is a fragile thing and can be created and destroyed very easily. As the saying goes, if you don't actively create an image for yourself, someone else will. Permit me to share one definition of 'image':

Persona, image -- ((Jungian psychology) a personal facade that one presents to the world; "a public image is as fragile as Humpty Dumpty")

Hold on to that thought for a moment, I want to get to 'Professionalism'. Here's the definition for that word:

A set of characteristics or behaviours that are worthy of the high standards of an occupation that requires advanced training in a specialized field.

Okay, so now you know the dictionary definitions, did they match yours? To the definition of professionalism I'd add a professional is someone paid to render a service - unlike a volunteer who does not.

Pay The Piper?

Now before you disagree with me and say you're a professional and a volunteer, I'd challenge you to research the word a little further. It's this whole payment aspect that seems to pre-qualify the word.

Also, pay attention to the 'requires advanced training' component. If you're a highly trained paid individual - then by definition you are a professional.

If your actions are seen by others to mirror those qualities (in other words the image you portray) then you are seen as demonstrating professionalism. Of course there is that issue of 'worthiness', but let's not cloud things.

If a Tree Falls In The Woods?

So does that mean if no one sees you acting professionally then you're not a professional? It's like the question about the tree falling in the woods, does it make a sound if no one is there? Does that mean someone could arbitrarily decide you're not worthy of the title? Does that mean that someone could come along and damage your image with negative comments?

Sure it does. It means all these things and more. In fact the whole image and professionalism debate will most likely carry on for ever. At the end of the day the measure of a person will always be, to some degree, externally defined by the opinions and observations of others.

Who's Watching?

However the real test of your character - because that after all is what we're really talking about here - is defined by what you do when no one is watching. It's how you act when the chips are down. It's how you speak to others when you're tired and low, and as an unknown author once said, "Don't be content with being average. Average is as close to bottom as it is to the top." Be excellent!

So what do you see when you look in the mirror?

AUTHOR BIO: James Burchill is a freelance marketing consultant and author. He's also the editor and associate publisher for two of the automotive aftermarket industry's leading print publications and he's the publisher of http://www.CorrectLink.com - a new Internet publication for the automotive aftermarket in Canada.

In between all that, James helps people 'Sell more stuff, and make more money!' and publishes a series of informational and Internet products about advertising and marketing. His main website is http://www.JamesBurchill.com


MORE RESOURCES:

Bakersfield Now

Girl Hurt on Wisconsin Dells Free Fall Attraction
89.7 WUWM - Milwaukee Public Radio
An amusement attraction at Wisconsin Dells has been closed after a 12-year-old girl was seriously injured. The girl was on the Terminal ...
12-year-old girl injured on Wis. 'free fall' rideOne News Page
12-year-old girl injured on Wis. 'free fall' rideThe Associated Press
Wis. Park Where Girl Injured Is Up For ForeclosureWCCO
Beaver Dam Daily Citizen -FOX6Now.com Milwaukee
all 355 news articles »


New to the Wisconsin State Fair: Dinosaurs, kiddie tractor pulls
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Leave it to the Wisconsin State Fair - the state's premier keeper of tradition - to add as a new attraction just about the oldest thing there is. ...

and more »


AFP

Royal attractions boost British tourism
AFP
LONDON — Tourist attractions linked to Britain's royal family generate over £500 million (600 million euros, 780 million dollars) a year in spending by ...

and more »


Top attractions in George Town, Penang, Malaysia
Helium
The core zone within George Town covers an area of just over 109 hectares and within this there are many, many attractions for visitors to see. ...

and more »


Tesh to kick off Thalian attractions series
WECT-TV6
All Music Guide (A Rainbow Room Attraction, four sets, Friday thru Sunday, table seating, limited capacity.) www.susanwerner.com Released last year, ...

and more »


Historic village owner seeks input from public
Baxter Bulletin
Roy Danuser, Bull Shoals attorney and developer, relocated the buildings to become a Bull Shoals attraction and for preservation of the buildings. ...

and more »


State Recommendation: Don't Allow Safari Wild in Green Swamp
The Ledger
LAKELAND | A state hearing officer has recommended that Polk County's development order allowing the Safari Wild animal attraction in the ...
Deny Safari Wild, judge saysThe Ledger (blog)
Judge: Polk violated own land code in approving Safari WildTbo.com

all 5 news articles »


india-server.com

Fatal Attraction
Hindustan Times
Seems like no film's shooting is complete without at least one memorable incident. And a considerable number of times, it's an accident that makes it even ...
Salman Khan's Dabang to be released on Sep 10ABCNews.in (blog)

all 78 news articles »


Rail tourist attraction idea gets rolling
reddeeradvocate.com
A proposed major tourist attraction focused on the railways and ground transportation is gathering some steam in Red ...



Metro

Chill out this summer by visiting Universal & Disney's winter-themed attractions
Jim Hill Media.com
Which is Blizzard Beach's "lazy river" attraction. This slow-moving, 3000 foot-long attraction will give you ample opportunities to lay back and relax. ...
Wizarding World: Falling under Harry Potter's spellMetro
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter?ABC Action News
The Secret to Getting Teens Up Early on VacationHuffington Post (blog)

all 4 news articles »

Google News

home | site map
© 2006