17 traits of elite professionals

In “The War of Art,” Steven Pressfield writes about the difference between amateurs and professionals.

In this context, a professional does not just mean someone who gets paid.

It means the highest echelon. The elite.

I’ve been fascinated by this concept for years, going back to my time as a college graduate.

What’s the thin line that separates an elite pro from everyone else?

I’ve synthesized 17 traits of elite professionals from Pressfield’s book, plus my own observations:

 

1. Professionals are patient

The professional understands delayed gratification. Unlike amateurs, they sustain consistent performance over long periods of time. They mentally prepare for the long haul ahead.

2. Professionals create order

The professional swiftly and efficiently executes a mission. They cannot do this with their lives in shambles. Disorder creates chaos. Everything has a rightful place.

3. Professionals don’t glamorize

The professional focuses on the labor, not the fruit of it. They are not distracted by glory and mystique. They do the work, nothing more and nothing less.

4. Professionals move through fear

The professional knows that fear is never overcome. It is navigated and managed. They don’t wait until they feel fearless to begin. The move, knowing the antidote to fear is action.

5. Professionals accept no excuses

The professional knows if they give in today, they’ll be twice as likely tomorrow. So they don’t even consider it. Everyone has a life, and everyone has problems. But when there’s a job to do, they do it.

6. Professionals accept reality

The professional lives life in the real world. Things aren’t fair. Nothing is owed. Little is guaranteed. There are bad bounces and unlucky breaks. You can do your best and still fail. This is life. Accept it and face it.

7. Professionals prepare

The professional isn’t just prepared for their job. They’re prepared for uncertainty. They’re mentally and emotionally steeled. They know the world is unpredictable. They stand ready to adapt and continue their mission.

8. Professionals don’t show off

The professional doesn’t need to say how good they are. Their work speaks for itself. Style is one thing. Arrogance is another.

9. Professionals respect their craft

The professional knows they are never too good to get better. They know mastery is a pursuit, not a destination. They seek greater levels of technique. They contribute to the knowledge base. There’s always more to learn.

10. Professionals ask for help

The professional never believes they know it all. They have mentors, coaches and advisors. They continuously seek knowledge and insight. They remain forever students.

11. Professionals don’t take it personally

The professional sees success and failure as the same. They’re outcomes. They don’t get too high or too low. They know all they control is the work. Everything else exists outside of them.

12. Professionals endure adversity

The professional’s path is never easy. You see the mountaintop. They see the years prior spent trudging through the valley. Life in the arena is messy. Endurance is non-negotiable.

13. Professionals self-validate

The professional looks only to themselves. They aren’t concerned with the critic. The critic will be gone tomorrow, and the professional will still have work to do. Know what voice ultimately counts. There’s only one.

14. Professionals know their limitations

A professional can’t be a professional at everything. They know where they’re great and where they’re not. They build a team of other pros around them.

15. Professionals reinvent themselves

The professional who doesn’t evolve loses his seat. Reinvention is a must. They have the courage to let go and the humility or begin again.

16. Professionals recognize professionals

The professional respects a worthy opponent. They recognize the dues that have been paid and know there are only a few who are truly willing to pay them.

17. Professionals make the decision

The professional decides to become one. There’s no mystery to being a pro. It’s a decision. Choose to become a professional, and then operate like one.

Bonus: Professionals uphold their standard

As per some of the experienced people who have worked throughout their lives, I asked them how they defined a professional: “Professionals uphold their standard.” Period.

The standard is high. Some days, you will fail to reach it. But you never stop striving for it. You must decide what your standard is and spent the rest of your life working to uphold it.

 

Summary

These are 17 (plus a bonus) traits of elite professionals.

I encourage you to spend time thinking deeply about them and self-assessing.

How do you measure up against these?

Where are you excelling?

Where can you improve?

We’re coming up on the New Year.

What better time than to take an honest self-assessment and recommit to upholding your standard in 2023.