Has someone ever called you irresponsible? Have you ever wondered how you could behave better so you are deemed responsible? Being responsible isn’t corny. It is an attractive quality to have. Responsible people fulfil their obligations at home, at school, and in the community. They recognize that they are accountable for their actions. So when they make a mistake, they admit it, apologize, and strive to make amends. A responsible person uses his or her talents wisely and is more likely to be held in high esteem, treated like an adult, and granted freedoms and privileges. A responsible person is usually generous and is more likely to enjoy satisfying friendships.
HOW CAN I BE MORE RESPONSIBLE?
There are certain aspects of your life that reflect how responsible you are. The way you behave at home, at school or work, your finances and how you treat people in general. Let us analyse them.
Your Home Life
As the saying goes, charity begins at home. Being responsible begins on the home front. If you stay with your parents, the way they treat you will determine if you behave responsibly or not. If you are responsible, you will earn their trust and respect. What can you do?
Clean up after yourself. When you’re done eating, do the dishes. Keep your room clean. Wash your clothes. Maintain proper personal hygiene. Brush your teeth and have your bath daily. Do things without being asked: Always conduct yourself in a respectful and appropriate manner, and never make excuses for your behaviour. Doing just the things you are asked to do is responsible. But to show that you can care for yourself and others, you need to do things before you’re asked. That shows you are responsible enough to see what needs to be done and take care of it. Place others’ needs before yours, and be selfless. Be consistent with your behaviour. If you want to be responsible, then you have to stick to your routine and make it a way of life.
Your Education
In many ways, school is a sort of training ground for the work ethic and personal responsibilities that you’ll need to develop in order to live successfully as an adult. Avoid tardiness and skipping school. Ensure you do your assignments. Sit in the front of the classroom and be involved in the class. Listen actively, respond to questions, and ask questions if there’s any material you’re confused or uncertain about. Manage your time wisely. Do not procrastinate. Avoid bad associations. Study for tests and exams ahead of time. Always conduct yourself in a respectful and appropriate manner, and never make excuses for your behaviour.
Your Reputation
Having a good reputation is important if you want to be responsible. You need to be careful about the things you do and say to people. Also, be careful with what you put out on social media. Always be honest. Do not cheat people, or joke with their feelings. Think before you speak to show you care. People who are not responsible with their words will shout out the first thing that comes into their heads, including calling another person names. Instead, take time to think your words through. Don’t let your anger get the better of you.
Be Financially Responsible
Being financially responsible simply means that you stay in control of your money—instead of letting your money (or lack of it) control you. When you’re financially responsible, you’re setting good spending habits that help you to avoid overspending. That way, you can enjoy your money and the security it brings, instead of feeling worried each month that you might not be able to pay your bills. To do this, you have to create and stick to a budget and try not to spend money on things you do not need. Try not to borrow from friends and family. Instead, have money saved up so you can be ready for any emergency that comes along.
Be Consistent and stick to Schedule
A responsible is orderly and sticks to commitments. Have a routine. If you are working, try to wake up at the same time every day. Even on the weekends, you could wake up earlier rather than stay in bed until noon. This will give you some consistency. Make a schedule for your work and personal tasks. If a few things are repetitive during the week, keep them that way. Getting off your schedule could ruin your whole routine and leave you off balance. Being responsible means that you are in control of everything you do.
Summary
Remember, as already mentioned, being responsible isn’t a one-off thing. Consistency is required. You will need some work to abandon old habits and imbibe new ones. If you can be responsible at home, at work or school, and around people, then you can assume you are a responsible human being.
