It’s common sense that everyone should try to be as reliable as possible for their friends and family, but sometimes, it isn’t so obvious how to achieve this. In fact, many people unintentionally do certain things day-to-day that they don’t realize actually makes them seem unreliable. To show you what we mean, this article will take a look at the habits that make people see you as unreliable.
Missing Deadlines Frequently
It should probably go without saying that consistently missing deadlines, even by a small margin, can make others view you as unreliable. As Motion points out, this can suggest a lack of time management or commitment. Meeting deadlines, or at least communicating proactively when you can’t, helps demonstrate that you take your responsibilities seriously and value others’ time.
Canceling Plans at the Last Minute
When you back out of commitments at the last moment, regardless of whether they’re personal or professional, it can, understandably, frustrate those counting on you. It shows a lack of consideration for others’ time and effort, so try to stick to your commitments and give ample notice when changes are necessary to prevent yourself from looking unreliable.
Failing to Follow Through on Promises
Another common habit that makes people see you as unreliable is making promises that you can’t keep. This could involve forgetting to complete a task at work or even just neglecting a promise to help your family; either way, this behavior signals that your word can’t be counted on.
Being Chronically Late
Along with missing deadlines, if you show up late repeatedly for meetings, appointments, or social gatherings, you show people that punctuality isn’t a priority of yours. Remember that doing this can disrupt schedules and cause inconvenience for others, which will eventually cast doubt on your reliability in the eyes of others.
Overcommitting Yourself
Even though saying yes to everything might seem like a way to be helpful, overcommitting can actually lead to underperformance. Therefore, when you spread yourself too thin like this, it becomes challenging to meet all your obligations. Instead, try to be realistic about your capacity and commitments, and people will know they can rely on your performance.
Forgetting Important Details
Don’t overlook how damaging to your reliability it can be to forget key details, such as names, dates, or tasks. Having such memory lapses suggests a lack of focus or concern for what’s important to others. Always pay attention and take notes if you struggle to remember things, and other people will no doubt notice your efforts.
Ignoring Communication
If you consistently forget to respond to emails, messages, or calls in a timely manner, it can give the impression that you’re disorganized or unresponsive. This habit leaves others waiting, which isn’t very fair, and over time, they’ll start wondering if you’re actually reliable. Acknowledging communications, even with a brief response, helps keep lines of communication open and trust intact.
Making Excuses Regularly
Frequent excuses for why something didn’t happen can quickly wear thin, making you appear as though you’re unwilling to take responsibility for your actions. Owning up to mistakes and making efforts to correct them shows accountability, so don’t overlook how important this is.
Changing Plans Abruptly
A lot of people don’t realize that constantly altering plans or shifting goals is just as confusing as canceling them altogether. It suggests a lack of consistency and can make others hesitant to rely on you. Try to stick to agreed-upon plans and clearly communicate any necessary changes, and you’ll better maintain your reliability in the eyes of others.
Procrastinating
Many of us are guilty of procrastination but watch that you don’t do it too often, which will inevitably lead to rushed work or missed deadlines. Over time, this will tarnish your reputation and suggest poor time management and a lack of discipline, both of which impact how others view your reliability.
Failing to Admit Mistakes
When you refuse to acknowledge when you’ve made a mistake or try to shift blame onto other people, this will no doubt damage your credibility. Such behavior shows a lack of integrity and accountability, which would otherwise be key traits of a reliable person. Just admit your errors openly and work to correct them, and people will know they can depend on your honesty.
Not Being Prepared
Believe it or not, just showing up to a meeting, project, or task on time often isn’t enough; you need to ensure you’re prepared. Not being prepared will suggest that you’re not invested in your responsibilities, demonstrating a lack of forethought and making others question your dedication. Simply take the time to prepare thoroughly, and this will no doubt be reflected in how others perceive your commitment and reliability.
Inconsistency in Actions
Inconsistent behavior, such as saying one thing and doing another, can confuse and frustrate those around you. This habit creates uncertainty about whether you’ll follow through, damaging your reliability. Consistency in words and actions builds a solid foundation of trust, making it easier for others to depend on you.
Overpromising and Under-Delivering
Be careful not to promise more than you can realistically deliver, which will set you up for failure and disappoint those counting on you. This habit often stems from a desire to please, but it ultimately undermines your reliability. Instead, set realistic expectations and deliver on them consistently to maintain your reputation for trustworthiness and credibility.
Being Disorganized
Constant disorganization, whether in managing time, tasks, or belongings, can suggest that you’re not in control. This habit can lead to missed deadlines, forgotten responsibilities, and a general sense of chaos. To prevent this from getting out of hand, implement organization strategies, like keeping a schedule or decluttering your workspace, and you’ll significantly improve your reliability.
Avoiding Responsibility
Another habit that makes people see you as unreliable is when you dodge responsibilities or delegate them unnecessarily. It will show a reluctance to step up and take charge of your duties. Therefore, always remember to accept responsibility and follow through, even when it’s challenging.
Lack of Transparency
Finally, nothing will ruin your reputation for reliability, like keeping others in the dark about your progress, plans, or changes. This creates uncertainty and can make people hesitant to rely on you, so it’s important to always be transparent about what’s happening, even when things aren’t going perfectly.