Be Reliable

In my particular line of work, as in most, a combination of competence and diligence is what makes up some of the best dudes in my industry. However, none of these traits are worth a damn if that worker isn’t reliable. Dependable dudes are a dying breed these days. Guys are hitting the snooze button one too many times, are not exercising their best judgment or are getting caught up with the booze and the pussy, you can’t even rely on a ride home from the work anymore. And if you think you can go at it all alone, and the only reliable worker you need is yourself, think again. No one runs a self sustained business, no one runs a self sustained life for that matter. The guy selling meat at the butchery relies on the slaughter house for his meat, and then his wife to clean his blood stained apron. So, whether you’re working with a street vendor or a street hustler, here are a few pointers for being reliable.

Punctuality is Key

In a business like mine, five minutes can mean a lot. You tell a guy to be somewhere at noon because, well, if he isn’t, you might not have the option to wait the extra five. Punctuality stands for a lot. You might not see what the big deal is in punching in a minute or two late, but it’s worth the effort to punch in a couple of minutes early. It stands for something. It shows you have priorities, and being where you’re supposed to be is one of them. Don’t pull a Continental and arrive on your own schedule. If you can’t get somewhere on time, dude, get a better watch.

Keep Your Word

A man is only as good as his word. Once he breaks that he’ll be lucky if he gets a job at the fish market. It’s a simple rule, but time and time again, we see guys breaking it. Someone says one thing, and he does another. Frankly, you can’t trust a guy like that. The foundation for being a reliable man is being a trusted one. The words that come out of your mouth should never be put into question. Unfortunately, once you cross that line, all credibility is lost. So to avoid that free fall into the disastrous realm of deceit, remember to Keep Your Word...

Don’t Get Distracted

Nowadays, with all the A.D.D. and ADHD, it’s hard to get something done ASAP. Distractions are all around us, but they can’t get in the way of getting a job done. If some chick in a short dress is higher on your list of priorities than helping out a fellow brethren, then you’re in dire need of an adjustment. Reliable men have their priorities in order, and they can’t be consumed by selfish motives or an obsession with cheap ass. I know you got the video game system running and you have to update your Facebook status, but the boss will not be so understanding.

Don’t Exaggerate for Effect

The same dudes who started with “the dog ate my homework” bit keep the excuses coming later in life. They’ll have a story all the way to through there unemployment streek. But for most, there are often legitimate reasons for not following through with something. You have a couple of those get out of jail free cards in the bank. The car got hit, the kid got sick this misfortune can plague any guy with a hefty to do list. However, when you start pulling these excuses out daily, you’ve proven that you can’t be depended on. The bottom line, if you have a legitimate reason for not following through, tell it like it is. Don’t start adding in a new storyline for effect, we can all smell the bullshit from a mile away.

Take Responsibility

When a favor is asked of you, you weren’t chosen blindly out of a deck of cards. You’ve been entrusted with something. Too many guys don’t understand the magnitude of that. Some don’t take it seriously, and some wind up screwed. Take responsibility for whatever is asked of you. Don’t make excuses, don’t take it lightly. Whether it’s big or small, be a man and own it. If you need to pick up a carton of eggs from the shop, check the date and make sure there’s not so much as a hairline fracture in one of those babies. But let’s hope for your sake that you’ve graduated from the egg runs.

I know this can sound like i'm being a hard-ass when it comes to a man’s performance in the workplace. However, I also know the true difference between a reliable worker and the guy who shows up to the office 15 minutes late. Your reliable worker rises to the top, and he soon becomes the one who weeds out the dependable prospects from the halfhearted dudes. Whatever position you hold, the quickest way to the top is showing you have the capacity to be trusted. You’re the first one in the office, you’re focused on the prize and you don’t take it lightly. That’s the man I want to call my star.

the audacious truth