In a world full of opinions, appearances, and noise, one thing still holds lasting value: merit. Merit is the weight of your character, skill, and contribution. It’s what makes people trust you, rely on you, and respect you. Unlike luck, charm, or social status, merit can’t be faked. It’s earned.
To increase your merit is to build your real worth—not just in the eyes of others, but in your own. It’s how you become someone who delivers, someone who matters, someone who gets things done. Here’s how to do it.
1. Become Competent, Not Just Confident
Confidence can get attention, but competence keeps it. You don’t need to be loud about your abilities if your work speaks for itself. Focus on getting good at what you do. Learn the tools, master the basics, sharpen the edge.
Whether it’s communication, leadership, craftsmanship, or technical skill—deepen it. When people know you’re capable, you don’t need to convince them.
2. Follow Through Every Time
Reliability builds trust faster than talent. When you say you’ll do something, do it. On time. Without excuses. This simple habit increases your merit because it shows that you’re not just interested in looking good—you’re serious about delivering results.
People remember those who keep their word, especially when others don’t.
3. Seek Responsibility, Not Recognition
It’s easy to want the credit. But those who take initiative without waiting to be praised often grow faster and go further. When you focus on being useful instead of being seen, your value rises. Merit comes from doing the hard things when no one is watching.
Step up. Fix problems. Take ownership. Over time, people will notice.
4. Admit When You Don’t Know
Pretending you have all the answers makes you look fragile. Admitting when you need help or lack knowledge shows strength. It means you care more about the truth than about saving face.
People respect humility paired with a hunger to learn. It shows you’re here to grow, not posture.
5. Improve Daily, Not Occasionally
Merit is not built in bursts. It’s built in repetition. If you improve a little every day—reading, practicing, refining—you’ll quietly outpace those who only act when they feel inspired. Make progress a habit.
Every hour of effort adds weight to your merit. Small gains compound.
6. Control Your Reactions
Merit isn’t just technical. It’s emotional and social. If you’re impulsive, reactive, or fragile under pressure, your credibility drops. Staying calm, measured, and constructive—especially in conflict—shows maturity.
People with emotional discipline are trusted with more responsibility. They bring stability, not chaos.
7. Make Things Better Wherever You Are
Leave every space or group stronger than you found it. Whether it’s a team, a project, a conversation, or a home—contribute to improvement. This mindset doesn’t require permission or applause. It just requires care and initiative.
People who improve things, even quietly, are the ones others want to keep around.
Final Thought
Merit is not gifted. It’s built through effort, honesty, growth, and consistency. It’s not about showing off. It’s about showing up—again and again—with integrity and excellence.
If you want more trust, more opportunity, more respect, increase your merit. Earn your place not by shouting, but by proving. The world still listens to those who deliver. Be one of them.
