Being a professional. I've been retired for almost a decade now, that's has become my profession. A profession is what you get paid to do isn't it? That's the way I've always thought of that, the only difference between an amateur, novice and hobbyist is in the degree of skill they have. By that account I've been a professional in a number of trades. Still, I've never really thought of myself as a professional at anything. I just did stuff to make a living, whatever job was available at the moment. Now I didn't change jobs often but I have held at least five. Thing is, the majority of those jobs required a number of general skills to qualify for the position. I was expected to know a little about a lot. What is generally thought of as a handy man, only a handy man with access to a machine shop, a garage and a variety of tools and equipment. Capable of performing the basic functions associated with each. As a result I have acquired a number of "qualifications" and "licensing" over the years. Most have since expired as I didn't renew those certificates. But I don't consider myself a professional at anything.
It is something I have thought about over the years. I've come to the conclusion that I've just never found that one thing. I haven't found my "passion" as the saying goes. I look at it this way, I just don't have anything I want to do solely for myself. Does that mean I require validation for everything I do? That's one way of looking at that I suppose, it is satisfying to me when I accomplish something that pleases someone else. I did get involved with doing the family tree, I was fascinated by that for quite a while. But after reaching a certain point I lost interest because I had answered the questions I had. That, combined with no one else seemed to care a thing about that caused my change in attitude. I wondered to what end was I devoting all this time?
I was never driven to obtain any degrees, any qualifications, licenses or titles of any kind. Whatever ones I did were just an aside, something necessary, not something desired. I just believe in the proof is in the pudding. If I can do it, that's enough. I have always been a bit bothered by having to prove anything. I was only asked once to produce my high school diploma, and that was to join the navy, that's the government for you. I have been required to show proof of my citizenship, my residence, my income, my date of birth, my marriage and my age. All of that was to qualify for something that I either wanted or was required to have. It's my thinking that being a professional requires you have that inner drive to learn all there is to know about a certain thing, whatever that thing happens to be. For me, my curiosity is often satisfied within a short time.
I also think that is simply because I do not have any one area where I excel. As we used to say back in the day, I'm fair to middlin' in most things. I have very little musical talent, I can't paint of draw, I'm not an author. When asked I make no claim to any profession just saying I have some experience in most occupations. You don't want to ask me for medical or legal advice though, that wouldn't be wise. You're likely going to die or be sued. But if you want to know about building or repairing something I might be able to help you out with that. If you want advice or an opinion, I'm your man! That's what I do best. I'm fine with that. I've always been fine with that. I've never felt pressured to do a thing to prove anything to anyone other than myself. Guess that is why I never pursued any "citations" other than what was required. Maybe now that I don't need any I'll go get one, just because I can. Yeah, I could do that.
No comments:
Post a Comment