Individuals’ reactions to different situations vary according to their personality traits, which work together to shape an individual’s personality and behaviors. Psychologists have studied and analyzed these traits and developed many theories and tests aimed at analyzing and understanding personality more deeply. The five main personality traits are one of these famous theories, which identify the individual with five basic traits that affect his thinking and behavior. We can summarize these traits as follows:
- Emotional stability
- Openness
- Conscientiousness
- Extraversio
- Agreeableness
In today’s article, we will learn about the characteristics of commitment and the most important tips that will help you develop a sense of commitment in your personal and professional lives.
What is commitment?
The characteristic of commitment expresses the extent of an individual’s discipline and his tendency to complete the tasks entrusted to him in the most complete manner in a timely manner. A number of sub-characteristics closely related to it fall under the concept of commitment, such as:
- Self-efficacy.
- Organization and arrangement.
- The pursuit of achievement
- Self discipline.
- Caution.
What are the advantages of being a disciplined person?
Commitment is one of the most important elements of success, and it is often associated with successful leadership skills. We can summarize the advantages and benefits of commitment as follows:
- Achieving greater success, as many studies, including a study conducted at the University of Florida, showed that committed people are often more adept at setting goals and developing thoughtful strategies, which ensure their achievement.
- On a personal level, committed individuals have a high sense of responsibility, so they know what they have and what they have to do, which prevents them from entering into disputes with their partners and thus living a more stable life.
- Enjoy better health since they can stick to a healthy diet, exercise regularly, and follow healthy habits that benefit them.
How do I develop a sense of commitment and discipline?
If you find yourself a person of low commitment and you want to develop this trait in your personality, then you are in the right place. All you need is determination and the desire to change, as well as some healthy habits and behaviors that will make you more committed and disciplined over time. Here are the most important habits of disciplined people, which you can also adopt since they are simple habits with a big impact:
1- Payment of financial obligations on time
Disciplined people make sure to pay their bills in a timely manner without any delay, which avoids them paying any additional fines or feeling any stress or anxiety. Make sure that you set an accurate schedule for paying your bills and avoid delaying it until the last minute, as sudden and unexpected events may occur that prevent you from paying in a timely manner, which will result in additional expenses that you do not need.
2- Balance between income and expenditure
It is a logical and successful equation, but many neglect it, so we find that they spend their entire income as soon as they receive it, and their expenses may even exceed their income at times, which leads to the accumulation of debt on them and turning their lives into a great mess. Learn to manage your expenses, set your own budget every month, and make sure to save part of your income for times of need.
3- Arrangement and cleanliness
If your room is a complete mess, as if a tornado has passed through it, and if you avoid opening your wardrobe for fear of clothes falling over your head, this is a strong sign that you are not as disciplined as you should be.
People with a high sense of discipline are keen to live in tidy and clean places, so we find that they set themselves a careful cleaning schedule and adhere to it in order to avoid the stress and anxiety associated with chaos and a lack of hygiene. So what are you waiting for? Set yourself a schedule for tidying and cleaning your house that matches your other activities, and make sure you stick to it completely.
4- Good planning for the day
Disciplined people plan their days well and don’t allow others or external circumstances to control them. And to develop your sense of commitment, you also set aside five minutes a day before bed to write down and set your tasks for the next day. You can also do this every morning before heading to work.
5- Pay attention to the outward appearance.
The disciplined have a good appearance, and here we do not mean that they have a striking beauty that distinguishes them from others, but rather that they choose their clothes well, as we find that their clothes are tidy and clean and fit them perfectly, unlike the poorly disciplined, who most of the time wear dirty or too loose clothes that do not fit them.
You do not have to buy expensive clothes from the most prestigious stores in the world, but make sure from time to time to rearrange your closet and get rid of all the torn clothes or those that no longer fit you. Wash the dirty ones, and iron what needs to be ironed. Simply make sure that everything in your closet looks good on you and that you can wear it right away.
6- Maintaining the cleanliness and order of the workplace
Disciplined people make sure that their desks at work are clean and tidy. They put all important papers in special files so that they could easily access them. They also make sure that the files on their computers are neatly arranged and kept. Unlike those who lack a sense of commitment, you often find mountains of papers piled on their desks, and they always fail to find the right file at the right time! Arrange your office daily, and make sure to archive files and work papers in a way that allows you to return to them when needed. You will find that this simple habit will reflect positively on your performance at work and make you more committed and disciplined.
7- Being punctual
Discipline is often associated with punctuality and adherence to deadlines. Disciplined people arrive at their jobs in a timely manner, attend meetings without delay, and finish their assigned tasks before deadlines, which earns them the respect of their colleagues and managers. Make sure to stick to your appointments as much as possible, and if you are forced to be late, apologize and inform the other party about it. And don’t stop until you finish your homework on time.
8- Self-reliance
Disciplined people are self-reliant and can even be relied upon. They are committed to accomplishing what was asked of them to the fullest, and they cannot break a promise they made to themselves or others.
Therefore, in order to enhance your sense of discipline, be careful not to commit to what exceeds your capabilities, and when you accept the completion of a specific task, make every effort until the end. Never leave something unfinished, no matter how small.
9- The ability to complete difficult tasks
The disciplined are not afraid of difficult tasks, and they approach them with a spirit of challenge and persistence, which guarantees them achieving success and reaching what they aspire to. Do not shy away from difficult tasks, and make sure every day to finish your most difficult and biggest tasks before ten o’clock in the morning. When you do, you’ll find that the remaining tasks aren’t so great or impossible, and you’ll have more confidence to get them done on time rather than being lazy and procrastinating.
10- Take enough rest.
Disciplined people with a high sense of commitment make sure they get enough rest and sleep for at least seven and a half hours a day. This allows them to wake up the next day fully energized and energetic, so they can get to work on time and avoid stress caused by delays and lack of sleep.
Make sure you go to sleep at the same time each day and get enough sleep to recharge your body and mind with the energy needed to carry out your tasks the next day.
Commitment and discipline are linked to the ability to control oneself to increase efficiency and productivity. Whatever level of discipline you have today, it is not eternal, as you can always strengthen and improve it. Start with small steps and believe in your ability to reach what you aspire to. You may fail to achieve the degree and discipline you really desire, but perseverance and trying again are forms of commitment that will definitely get you the result you want.
Read also: Decision making skills: How do you create your future?
