4 ways to make yourself more reliable

It’s nice to be trusted. When you’re reliable, you’re the person people depend on. Whether friends or coworkers, you want to be able to count on the people in your life. Here are four ways you can be seen as more reliable.

Keep your word: When you make a promise, you should come through. Being reliable doesn’t mean you have to say ‘yes’ all the time. There comes a point when you can overcommit, so it’s fine to say ‘no’ when you don’t feel like you’re up for it. Just make sure, if you say you’re going to do something, you get the job done.

Hold yourself accountable: Nobody’s perfect. Every once in a while, we all mess up. The key to screwing up is to admit that it happened. Accountability makes you appear trustworthy, and as long as it’s not happening all the time, and you’re not blaming others, you won’t destroy your reputation for being reliable.

Change your bad habits: Are you casually late all the time? Do you leave the house around the time you’re supposed to be at your destination? Do you pass gossip around the office? Think about not only your reputation at work, but your reputation with your close friends. Do you have any bad habits that might be holding you back from being seen as a reliable friend or coworker?

Communicate: Sometimes things fall through because we’re not communicating well. Did you get a flat tire on your way to meet a friend for lunch? Before you call roadside assistance, send your buddy a text and let them know you’re not going to make it. There’s a big difference between having to change your destination and having to eat lunch alone.