Have you ever noticed that many people don’t like being called “predictable”? Apparently, that’s just another way of saying “boring”.

And maybe they’re right. Maybe always going to your favorite restaurant and ordering the same dish each time is boring. And maybe it’s boring to wear your favorite pair of jeans everyday.

But in many cases, being called “predictable” can actually be a good thing, right?

When you can count on your phone having a signal every time you make a call, your car starting every time you turn the key, or employees driving into the parking lot 20 minutes before every shift… suddenly predictability sounds like a really good thing.

Someone or something that’s predictable brings comfort, provides reassurance, and builds trust. Predictability communicates stability and helps reduce anxiety.

But not always. Being predictable can also be a bad thing. Not returning phone calls for days, walking around with a bad attitude every morning, and losing your temper whenever something breaks also creates predictability. Unfortunately, our negative habits create our reputation just like our positive habits do.

Let’s face it, most of us tend to be creatures of habit. But that doesn’t necessarily mean we’re boring.

Chances are most people already know what they can expect from you. The real question is… Are they looking forward to it?