What does it mean to be a "professional?"

... that's a good question, Hutton Honors College. There's a distinct possibility that a lot of people out there wake up one morning, realize that they've been at the same job or working so hard at a singular hobby / activity / ritual / sacrifice / fetish, that, goshdarnit, they've *got* to be a professional. Or, even - why not call yourself one? Just for fun?
(Rhyming not intended. Usually unexpected.)
What I'm trying to say, HHC, is that defining "professionalism" really depends on the person who's doing the talking... or the walking, if you will.
What? You want *my* opinion? Well, I'm so glad you asked!

A professional is someone ... or something... that's been working to not only accomplish something by getting through the task at hand with an acceptable - or better - outcome, but also managing to repair and nullify any screwups... er... mistakes... made along the way.
(Hey... that wasn't funny at all!)

I always find that the bit about making mistakes is the hairiest part of the whole shebang. It almost seems that, to achieve the sacred title of "professional", you're not allowed to err. Humanity is heavily and with much an amusing facial expression, frowned upon. It's the Kung Fu Master of titles - if you can screw up (or be beaten by the callow youths in your dojo), you don't deserve the consideration.
... I disagree. Even Mr. Miyagi probably took a few falls and punches in the Karate Kid. ("Wax on, wax off" gets harder with age.) The way that I'd like to be remembered as a "professional" musician ... if I ever get there ... is as someone who made a few thousand mistakes working her way slowly, note by note, measure by measure, wax on by wax off, to each new audition / performance... and then rocked the houses' socks off. David Baker, all around cool cat and jazz legend (I'm speaking lightly, mind - trying to find words to describe the type of musician - hell, *person*, that Dr. Baker is would require the invention of a new phrase. He radiates love.) once said that, "if you're in the practice room and you sound *perfect*... you're not practicing right." At the least, you're not working on what you *should* be. Sounding awful for prolongated periods of time is... 99% of the time... a sign that you're taking what you're worst at, facing it down, and refusing to give up on it until your ears stop bleeding.
That... slightly reduced to "experienced enough to accept, learn from, and repair mistakes... not-yet-jaded to the point where you don't care anymore"... is what I call a true professional.

... and if worse comes to worse, you can always be a Professional Screw-up. I've been told it could be one of my future vocations.... [grin]