friends – From the desk of Adam Thomas

Be OK with Weird – Progress Matters

If you saw my work, it might look insane to you.

When I arrive, I start writing on post-it notes, scribbling on notepads and drinking coffee.

I then throw my cell phone into a bag and put it in another room while getting a bottle of water.

Finally, I close every window and turn on “Freedom.”

When I do that routine, it is a way for me to trick myself. I remove distractions and wall myself off.

Above my monitor, I have the words “distraction” and “compromise.”

Both of them are my friends. Both want fun. Compromise tells me I can do 15 minutes of twitter and then come back. Distraction reminds me to text someone.

I look at the two “post it” notes and go right back to work. I know I can’t listen if I plan on turning ideas into impact.

How are those two friends stopping you?

I strive for professionalism

This isn’t an accident. Being a professional doesn’t come by luck or happenstance, it comes from deliberate action. Deliberate action is difficult, because it comes at a cost of comfort and space.

I love being around professionals. There are some great byproducts that come from it, like getting better results, having an impressive group of friends, or being well liked by powerful people through getting to know them. All of this is well and good, but they don’t make you one.

Here are a few things professionalism isn’t

Results-based – Just because I get to a million dollars* doesn’t mean I am successful. I made this first because results are the most visible. If I see a millionaire I, and the world I project, will most likely see him as professional. This is wrong. The key distinction here is that successful doesn’t mean professional, because luck plays a role in results, but not professionalism.
Friends-based – Powerful friends don’t make you a professional. I can’t call someone to improve my professionalism. Being around professionals helps, lets me see the model, but there is no such thing as professional osmosis. The key distinction here is that being seen around professionals or hanging around professionals doesn’t make me a professional.
Magic-based – You don’t just wake up one. There is no knighting ceremony or ritual. There is no time need. There is no pumpkin turning into a horse-drawn chariot. The key distinction here is that no one can make me a professional. No one casts “a spell” and creates “a professional.”

Don’t confuse the byproduct with the product

It is far more comfortable to leave it alone and just hang out with the byproducts, or stick around the same conferences, or buying things that will “transform” you. Becoming a professional is tough. It gets confusing. It is often a scary process, filled with dark nights and wondering if it’s worth it. If you do want it though, you should put your effort into the work.

Note: Tomorrow I will get into what professionalism is.

*Insert any resource here.