There is an incredible amount of dedication and work required to become a professional. Whatever your role is — entrepreneur, athlete, musician, parent — you must train your craft, your body and your mind. As you begin to master these three areas, you will be well on your way to becoming a professional in your field; someone who others look to for guidance, help, and advice.
Understand that being a professional means that you are always learning, growing, and stretching yourself. In other words, your work — your mastery — is never done. As the world continues to evolve, so must you.
Below we have outlined what it takes to train your craft, body, and mind.
Craft
To become world class at something, there is an incredible amount of effort that is required in skill development. That being said, you must take your job or role seriously and understand your craft at the highest level. You must stay up to date on your knowledge and information. This requires education on the specifics of your craft/role, seeking mentorship, as well as practicing every single day. Additionally, you should never be afraid to ask for help or guidance when it comes to mastering your craft.
Body
In the midst of studying and mastering your craft, you must also be intune with your body. This may seem like it is best applied to a profession that requires your actual physique to be ready. However, this can be applied to any role that you are looking to master — business, parenting, etc. No matter the role, your body must be ready to take on whatever it is that you are looking to achieve. This includes optimal health conditions, an adequate amount of sleep/rest/recovery time, proper nutrition and more. As long as you are taking care of yourself, you can continue to master your craft and become a professional.
Mind
Most people tend to focus on and invest a lot of their time in their Craft and Body. In fact, sometimes we become so obsessed with the ‘doing’ that we forget how to ‘be’. To achieve optimal results, these three — craft, body, and mind — must work simultaneously. You must prepare your mind for what you are setting out to achieve. This can be done through meditation, personal growth, or however else you practice mindfulness. Furthermore, it is important to instill a mental toughness in yourself so you are able to be flexible and adapt to any changes or obstacles that come your way. Lastly, you must stay positive! This is essential for when things are not going to plan; it can be hard to stay the course when it seems like nothing is going your way. Work on getting your mind right, and stay positive and focused.
Most people think that you have to DO extraordinary things to BE extraordinary. Rather, it is the combination of ‘doing’ and ‘being’ that is the key to success. Continue to focus on these three areas — craft, body, and mind — and you will be well on your way to becoming a professional!
COACH’S TIP
Earlier this year, my real estate team embraced the mantra of “Go Pro”. Here’s how we defined what it means to Go Pro:
The PRO is patient and seeks order in chaos.
The PRO acts in the face of fear and accepts no excuses.
The PRO plays it as it lays and never shows off.
The PRO is dedicated to mastering his technique.
The PRO dos not take failure or success personally.
The PRO endures adversity.
The PRO plays for keeps.
GO PRO