Being On Time

Much of my life I struggled with being on time to things. I would always pack my schedule a bit too tight and then forget to leave adequate driving time in between appointments and inevitably I would end up racing around yet still arriving five or ten minutes late to everything. Until one day someone pointed out to me that whenever a person shows up late to something they are sending the person waiting on them a message that they don’t have respect for their time. That was definitely not the way I would ever want to make someone else feel so I started making a concentrated effort to be on time. I’ve done much better over the years at being punctual but without question I find that if I’m not constantly mindful of it I inevitably begin slipping into a state of perpetual tardiness.

As life gets busier and busier it becomes easier and easier to start running late again. But when I came across this quote today it served as a good kick in the pants:

“Being on time to appointments and meetings is a phase of self-discipline and an evidence of self-respect. Punctuality is a courteous compliment the intelligent person pays to his associates. Punctuality or the lack thereof oftentimes is the only introduction one will ever have to new groups and friends. Serenity and poise are not the companions of those who lack the courtesy and judgment to be on time.” – Marvin J. Ashton

Yikes! What a reminder of how important it is to be on time to things! And so I am once again recommitting to do better… and since I’m already running a few hours late on getting to bed I will start now by saying goodnight as I have an appointment to keep with my pillow 🙂

~Amy Rees Anderson

2 Comments

  • Barb Emahiser says:

    I love your articles! Being on time, I have found, does three things: it says that my time is valuable, your time is valuable and that I can appreciate both of these facts.

  • Michael Hyatt says:

    Punctual = Respect. As an entrepreneur it’s imperative that I respect my clients. Being punctual is also a reflection of the work I do.

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