Research shows that our daily habits, or the way we naturally gravitate towards daily routines (or lack thereof), are formed at an early age. It’s somewhat of a weighty thought, especially for those of us with children, where in the formidable years of one’s youth, the habits of adulthood are formed. And we all understand the difference between good and bad habits. It’s difficult, isn’t it, to change a bad habit, and speaking from personal experience, it’s even harder to maintain that change over time. To go a little further, some might say that real change in one’s life is the culmination of developing good habits over time. Time management, exercise, and diet, to name a few.
We are all different; some of us are “creatures of habit” where consistency comes easy. Some of us are the opposite, where the only consistency in our lives is inconsistency. Whether we are naturally consistent or inconsistent, we can all reflect on our habits, especially if the consideration is for the benefit of others. And isn’t it true that our daily routines impact us personally – positively or negatively – but they also affect others, perhaps even more so.
Being dependable requires discipline, which involves an audit of our personal and professional habits, and it necessitates consideration of how those habits impact others. When considering our own habits, we must first consider the impact on others. What changes in our daily routines could have a positive effect on those we serve? Where might we be inconsistent, and where could adding consistency benefit those we serve?
Being more dependable means being more consistent in the small things that positively impact both others and ourselves. Because we can’t be reliable in the big things without first being dependable in the small stuff. Be on time. Take notes. Communicate promptly. Be where you’re supposed to be. Don’t leave a mess for others to clean up. You get the picture.
Let’s work on developing habits that will communicate to others that WE are Dependable.
