Professionalism, acting to a high standard of conduct and proficiency, has inherent in its meaning the idea of quality. Its meaning comes from the word profess, or to declare publicly, to be received into a religious order (a profession) in the sense that one is adhering to a code of conduct by announcing the fact to the world.

We’ve all met professionals. We’ve also met amateurs, or worse: bunglers.

What’s the difference?

For me, this anonymous quote, particularly the second sentence, encapsulates the idea of a professional. Once such a standard is obtained, it tends to permeate everything we do.

“If a task is once begun, never leave it ‘til it’s done. Be the labor great or small, do it well or not at all.”

Great things are built from little things, all done well.