Are you dependable?
This week’s syndicated column “Are you dependable?” is published in the following Michigan and Illinois newspapers and digital publications: Midland Daily News, The Edwardsville Intelligencer, Huron Daily Tribune, Jacksonville Journal-Courier, Manistee News Advocate, and Big Rapids Pioneer. The article focuses on how you can secure the skill of dependability by defining what that looks like as it relates to your life. I invite you to read the following, utilize its message to grow your personal dependability, and GiddyUp!
Are you dependable? Wow! That's a powerful question! So, what’s your honest answer? Your honest answer speaks volumes about what you think of yourself and how others perceive you.
Marriages, careers, friendships, relationships, and more have crumbled with the deterioration of this distinct skill and have proliferated beautifully with the consistency of that same skill. Dependability is also one of the easiest skills to acquire.
Ask yourself this: When it’s so clear to see the joy and happiness that dependable people experience on a regular basis, why aren’t we all pursuing “being dependable” with every ounce of energy we can muster? Why do dependable people exhibit high self-esteem? Why do they derive so much joy in helping others? Why do dependable people seem to overcome the challenges life throws at them better than others? How can I acquire and grow this skill?
Securing the skill of dependability begins with defining what that looks like as it relates to your life. How do you want your life to be defined, both now and in the future? If being dependable to yourself and others doesn’t spark some interest in who you want to be, you’re offering yourself little hope of experiencing the daily joy dependable people consistently have. If you’re attracted to joy and happiness, then acquiring and growing dependability is actually quite simple. You can start with housekeeping in the place you live. Do you make your bed every morning? Do you clean up after yourself after every meal? Are you ahead of your personal laundry requirements? Are your personal grooming habits consistent each day? Are you in control of your personal financial situation? Do you stay true to the character of who you want to be?
All of the questions in the paragraph above have a profound effect on whether you’re dependable. Focusing on first becoming dependable to yourself sets the stage for becoming consistently dependable to others.
When you attempt to acquire dependability in all of the above-mentioned questions, your focus should entail a “streak strategy” where you keep track of how many days in a row you are dependable in each category. The reason you’ll fall in love with “streak strategy” is that allows for occasional missteps. If you have an off-day, and a streak ends with a swing-and-a-miss, all you do is begin a new streak the following day with the intention of bettering the previous streak. Your brain acts just like a computer acquiring artificial intelligence –only it’s not artificial, it’s all you!
It's so much fun to achieve small wins each day and that’s exactly what you do when you achieve success in acquiring personal dependability. Your life is now improved and you’re ready to share this mastered skill with your co-workers, friends, neighbors, family and anyone you interact with each day. You’ll begin to notice that the way people perceive you begins to improve. People will test you with more responsibility, and even more importantly, trust.
Trust opens all new levels in relationships whether at work or personal life. Granted, if people have previously viewed you as an individual who isn’t dependable, then you’ll need to allow “dependability evidence” over a period of time as the path to having them view you as a completely dependable person. If you can see the necessity of “dependability evidence” over time as a challenge, it can actually be fun looking for ways to prove you’re dependable.
So, what’s the “end-game” with dependability? It’s when “being dependable” becomes a major definer of the personal character you exhibit to yourself and to others. That occurs when, after lots of dedicated practice, dependability emanates from your subconscious mind. It’s just a part of who you are, of how your life is defined.
There’s great merit in having others mentioning their admiration of how dependable you are when they’re describing you to someone else. Our current culture is highly attracted to people who are dependable. Fact is, all cultures throughout history have been highly attracted to people who are dependable. We crave dependability in others but may limit the amount of dependability we’re willing to offer. That’s so illogical. All of us together can change that if we attempt to create a “Being Dependable” Movement. How’s that work?
Here’s what I’m asking you to do: Identify people in your life that you know you can depend on. Call them. Yes, right now! Tell them how much you admire the fact that you can always depend on them. It can be how they answer your call at 3 a.m. when you need to talk to them. Or how if your car breaks down they’ll come and pick you up. It can be how when you just want them to listen they listen. If you have a medical emergency they’ll drop and run to be with you. You get the idea.
Explain to them how important their dependability is to your life. After each call, sit and think about the impact their dependability has on your life and then, most importantly, how your “being a dependable person” could impact others in the same way! I’ve given you an assignment (that’s actually fun) so get busy acquiring and growing your dependability skills right this moment. C’mon, GiddyUp!
In addition to being a syndicated columnist in the midwest, Paul White is an author, motivational and inspirational speaker, entrepreneur, podcaster, and life coach located in Midland, Michigan. He offers self-help and culture development to start your journey towards consistent growth and joy. If you’re interested in getting in touch with Paul, please submit an inquiry via our Contact Page.