I love my oven. I just love it. I hit a button and it heats itself to the exact degree that I desire. And my oven hits that desired degree every time, without fail. Meal after meal, year after year, my oven does what it’s supposed to do. My oven is the definition of dependability.
And that dependability is why I love my oven. I am addicted to people, products, and services that are dependable.
Why do I use Amazon.com for almost all my shopping? Is it to save a buck here or there? Far from it. I could care less if my Gatorade costs 3 cents an ounce on Amazon versus 3.5 cents an ounce at Wal-Mart. The reason I love shopping on Amazon is because it’s dependable. I hit one button and I can rest assured that in two days the item I ordered will on my front porch. I just love that dependability.
The love of dependability goes beyond inanimate objects live ovens and websites. And the love of dependability isn’t unique to me. In fact, people can be as dependable as ovens in their own work, whatever that happens to be, and everyone loves a dependable person.
I work with a fellow AdWords freelancer from time to time, and this guy is dependable as it gets. He always does what he says he’s going to do, and he always does it on time. And his dependability flows throughout all areas of his work, even down to his emails. I know that when I email him something he’s going to respond quickly and answer my question. Knowing that 100% he’s going to get my email and respond to it quickly allows me to relax and know that it’s in his hands now and he’ll take care of the email. When I send emails to people who aren’t dependable and don’t always answer, it weighs on me because I have to remember what the email was about and what needs to get done in case the person doesn’t respond to the email. But not with my dependable colleague. With him, I know the email will be taken care of and I don’t have to worry about it. That is a surprisingly good feeling. And this good feeling I get when I send him emails and work with him of course makes me want to do even more work with him and send him more business. Being dependable pays off.
Anyone can be dependable, and anyone can be dependable at anything. Being dependable is a habit that you have to force yourself to learn. It doesn’t happen overnight. But every day, throughout the day, you should be constantly asking yourself how can I be more dependable and where do I need to improve my dependability. If you constantly train yourself to become dependable, sooner or later you’ll actually be dependable, and being dependable will be a true habit and as natural for you as breathing.
Coworkers love dependable people, bosses love dependable people, friends love dependable people, and clients love dependable people. Be dependable at everything you do, every time you do it. Constantly and always be dependable, and use every interaction where you prove yourself to be a dependable person as a chance to grow your moat and strengthen your brand.
