Definition Summary

Raul Martinez

Mrs.Boreson

Period 4

March 4, 2011

When given the opportunity to describe yourself with one word it is important to find the word that has brought you to where you currently are in life. “Diligent” is the word that I can relate the most to myself.

The online dictionary defines diligent as 1. constant in effort to accomplish something; attentive and persistent in doing anything. 2. Done or pursued with persevering attention (Dictionary.com). This definition agrees to the way that I understand the word. Diligence can be broken down into two parts that will show how this one word is the product of different skills and characteristics. For a person to be diligent, they will first need to already be trying to accomplish something. This shows that they are adding value to their life by challenging themselves. Accomplishing something must be governed by rules, and this means the way to be diligent is to attempt to accomplish something carefully. It is not enough to try to accomplish, but rather to put regulations on yourself to make sure that the reward (of whatever it is you are trying to accomplish) is of true satisfaction. 

When it comes to characteristics of people, being a diligent worker cannot be completely understood when taught by someone else. It is one of those rare traits that can only be taught by you when you realize that this is the way society wants people to be. Having a sense of pride from the effort you put in to your work will keep you addicted to being at a certain standard in any work you do. From my experiences, there is no bigger pay off than to be rewarded for the carefully chosen work you put in. Whether it is on school assignments, or general house labor, paying attention and being persistent will lead to success.

            Other words that fall in the same category are industrious, assiduous, sedulous, indefatigable, untiring, tireless, unremitting. These all contain the central idea of working towards something, with a will from within. The complete opposites of being diligent are inactive, indifferent, languid, lazy, lethargic, and negligent. No one should want to be categorized as any of these because they are not positive and will not get you far. Seeing the opposite of what the word means will show what not to be, and for some, that is an easier way to comprehend why being diligent is appreciated.

“The hand of the diligent will rule, while the lazy will be put to forced labor.”-Author Unknown (Columbia World of Quotations). This quote has an easy concept to understand; do not stop trying to accomplish the challenges put before you, and you will someday be the creator of those challenges for others to work towards. You can apply the word, as well as the quote, to the way you have to be in school. At first you spend a lot of time working all the way from elementary school to college. After combining all of the education you’ve gathered you will get to choose what you want to do in life, rather than be forced to live a life you don’t want due to a lack of education. 

This word applies so well to my life that it even describes the way I will have to work in my future career. My plan is to become an architect in life, and this requires a lot of skills combined. In fact, I believe it takes up all of the skills I have learned in life, and uses them to create unique works of large-scale art. Paying attention to detail is necessary to become successful in a project. You have to consider numerous things at the same time and keep moving forward to meet deadlines. New challenges are brought to you constantly, and each one of those challenges adds up to create property for residential, commercial, and industrial property owners.

It is vital to be diligent in order to surpass the average, and go for advanced. I’ve found throughout my life that people usually appreciate diligent workers. Getting recognition for diligence is not nearly as important as staying at a level where everything you do is diligent work. I have found it necessary to apply this word to my life because it has helped me in my past and will be the reason for the success of my future.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

1. "Diligent | Define Diligent at Dictionary.com." Dictionary.com | Free Online Dictionary for English Definitions. Random House, Inc. 2011. Web. 04 Mar. 2011. <http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/diligent>.

2. "The_hand_of_the_diligent_will_rule_while." Columbia World of Quotations. Columbia University Press, 1996. 03 Mar. 2011. <Dictionary.com http://quotes.dictionary.com/The_hand_of_the_diligent_will_rule_while >.