When the repair technician answered the phone, his annoyance was only thinly veiled. It was Sunday, and, despite earning overtime, he was probably looking forward to an afternoon at home.

But when he arrived at the house thirty minutes later, he was completely professional. Friendly even.

Between the call and his arrival on site, something had changed. A shift in attitude. An adjustment of posture. A shedding of frustration.

Perhaps it was donning the uniform, or gathering the tools, or starting the truck. Whatever it was, his mental reset was effective.

How we show up doesn’t have to reflect the reluctance we might feel when we hear the call to action. We can show up as a professional regardless of the prelude.