This speech explores the concept of professional self-renewal. The presenter seeks to understand why some professionals always seem fresh, energetic, and ready for new challenges, whereas others are perpetually tired, bored, and irritated with the demands of their work. Referring to McGregor's management theories, the paper infers that Theory X people may find little satisfaction in their work and may perceive self-renewal as interference with their planned escape from work. Theory Y persons, on the other hand, probably find satisfaction both in their work and in self-renewal activities. The presenter views Maslow's hierarchy of needs theory in a behavioral context, recognizing that some individual actions result from external stimuli, rather than from inner need. Externally motivated individuals might pursue mandated activities like inservice education only for self-preservation and gain little from it. Frederick Herzberg's theory of hygienic factors (involving work conditions) versus motivational factors (involving the nature of work) may help explain why some people seek self-renewal and others avoid it. Those concerned with the work itself are renewing themselves whether working or playing. (MLH)