9 Characteristics of a Dedicated Person

First off, we want to applaud you for even clicking on this link and reading up on dedication. The fact that you want to be dedicated and want to live up to your promises means you have found something worth fighting for. Be it your family, health, career, or yourself – by seeking more information you just took the first step towards your goal.

Before we dive in, let's look at what we will cover:

• What is dedication
• Characteristics of a dedicated person
• What may be stopping you from being dedicated

First things first. Let's define dedication.

What is dedication?

Dedication is a single-minded focus on something we decide on. It is a commitment we make towards achieving a goal. As a result of that dedication, we are willing to sacrifice almost anything in our lives. Many of us dedicate our time, money, resources, and even entire lives towards a goal we are dedicated to.

Everyone has their own journey to becoming a dedicated person. Not only do we express our dedication differently, but also, choose different areas of our lives to be dedicated to. However, there are some common characteristics of a dedicated person. Which we hope will help you embark on your own unique journey.

Characteristics of a dedicated person

Dedicated people are passionate

We often think of dedication with a twinge of negativity. In some ways, dedication is equated to doing something even when we don’t quite like it. But the truth is, dedication requires passion. Life is going to throw a million things at us, no matter what. So, if we want to be dedicated to something and stick to it, then it damn well is something we are passionate about.

They keep promises

Our word is a bond. What we say is a contract, signed by our vocal cords. No other creature on this planet can communicate as deeply as we do. Sure, all species communicate but the message revolves around survival, danger, mating, and food. Only humans communicate intent.

Dedicated people keep their promises. They over promise and overdeliver. That makes them reliable and trustworthy. They respect themselves as well as others enough to do what they say they will.

They don’t make excuses

Being dedicated also means giving up excuses. It’s a deep understanding that not living up to your own word is harming you more than the person you promised. Making excuses is a coping mechanism for not delivering or not living up to the promise.

Dedicated people just get things done, no matter what. Come hell or high water, if a dedicated person gives his or her word, you know it will be done and taken care of.

They don’t shy away from responsibility

Many of us have a negative connotation of responsibility. We equate it to a burden we have to carry. We often don’t want to take responsibility for anything we don’t have to. But responsibility is not a burden. Dedicated people understand that responsibility is a privilege. That they have earned the right to be responsible for something.

In the movie, Spiderman, Uncle Ben gives Peter a piece of advice that turns around his life. He dismisses it first (like all of us do sometimes). But then owns it. Here is a clip from the scene:

They own up to their mistakes

Dedicated people know their responsibilities. But they also know that they are human and not perfect. They know that they are going to make mistakes at some point in their lives, no matter how hard they try.

More importantly, they also know that to learn from the mistakes and to truly move forward, they have to own up to the mistakes and take steps to ensure something like that never happens again.

Dedicated people understand the valuable lessons that mistakes teach us. Instead of playing the blame game and staying stuck in the past, they own their mistakes and recommit to their goals.

They plan in advance

To live up to their word and to truly do what they promised, dedicated people plan in advance. While their planning methodologies differ (they range from paper planners, digital planners, to just planning it all in their minds), they always have processes in place to ensure things go as they desire. They strategize and put their resources (however abundant or scarce) to achieve their goals.

This planning allows them to not be burdened or stressed all the time. It allows them to take time off without it hurting their goal. They work hard to achieve this balance because their dedication to the goal is paramount.

The planning also makes dedicated people adaptable and receptive to change. They understand that nothing is constant except change. They go with the flow, while they are firmly rooted in dedication towards their goal.

They dream

Dedicated people are dreamers by definition. They are believers. They believe that they can do something that seems impossible to others. They believe that they can achieve the dream they’ve been vying for a long time. A spark of a dream can light a fire of dedication that burns brightly for years for a dedicated being.

They are patient

Dedicated people are not interested in quick fixes or just getting there by hook or crook. Dedicated people are committed to their goals and dreams. It means everything to them, and they are willing to take no shortcuts. They are not willing to compromise on their dreams just because something will be easy, fast, or cheap. They are in it for the long haul. Dedicated people are patient.

They take action

Dedication is not just mental and emotional; it is also physical. A dedicated person takes massive action and believes in going after their dreams with all they have got. They likely have no Plan B. They believe in investing their all in their goal. They will do whatever it takes to make things work.

What is stopping you from being dedicated?

If you are reading this article because you are not feeling the commitment and dedication you did at the beginning of your journey, then you need to consider this:

• It is possible that you have run out of steam. And that is normal. Instead of berating yourself about it and wallowing in guilt, own up to it. Understand that it is completely normal to feel that way sometimes. You are after all, human.
• Are you not motivated because you have hit a rough patch and you just don’t see a way out? If you are stuck, again, just acknowledge it. Own it. And read this article on what to do when things are just not working out.
• If you are just feeling like you have lost yourself then there are just a few simple steps you can take to reclaim your power. You are here, now. And that’s okay. You will be on your way again, soon.
• If you are here because you are sad and depressed, because going has gotten tough, it’s okay to feel low. Let yourself feel it all. And then let it all go. Motivate and inspire yourself to get out of the rut. Find your sunshine in the depth of winter.
• If this is just a roadblock, a hump that is higher than most, but one that you know you will eventually get over then there is nothing to stress about. You got this.
  
• If you are doubting your dedication because you were rejected, then think again. It was just a no. That’s it. Reframe that rejection.
• If you are reading this because your life situation has changed, and your goal no longer seems to make sense know that it is hard to accept that. It is not easy to give up something that you have dedicated your heart and soul to. But sometimes, giving up is the right choice. Read to find out if it makes sense for you to give up on something you were dedicated to.

When Giving Up is the Right Choice


Are you struggling with a major life decision? Then you need to hear this. Because giving up is the right answer sometimes.

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No matter what you are going through, know that dedication is ultimately a choice that you make. It is the truest form of devotion and love towards something or someone. But you have to make that choice every day. No amount of external coaxing and motivation will work. This ultimate dedication must come from within.

If you’re reading this and have come so far down the article, you’re already a step ahead and a step closer to a better version of yourself. You got this. Start our journey to a more wholesome and dedicated life today.