Be professional…be on time

Posted: January 10, 2019 | Categories: Time management

Do you manage your time well?  Would you like to manage it even better?  Being honest with yourself, consider how you align with these habits:

• You have a vision for your life.
• Your goals are written down, specific, and time-related.
• You plan your day and work in order of your priorities.
• You focus on what is most important, and do not allow yourself to be distracted.
• You are almost always five minutes late.

Notice the last habit.  Does that seem out of place?  In my coaching experience, I have found that some of the most focused and hard-working people struggle with being on time. You know how it goes…you have a meeting scheduled, and you notice you have an extra 10 minutes before you need to leave.  Being a good time manager, you cram something else in.  Perfect.  Now you get in your car and take off for your meeting.  Things are going fine until you hear the clanging of the bells and flashing of the lights.  It is a long freight train!  You weren’t expecting that.  You end up five minutes late to your appointment.

A few years ago I was attending a time management seminar, and the subject of punctuality came up.  There was an audience of about 80, and the speaker asked how many had been on time to every appointment the past year.  Three people raised their hands.  The speaker asked how they did it.  They all came up with the same answer:  They leave early.  

But isn’t that wasting time?  No, it isn’t.  When we make an appointment, we set a time.  We have committed to be there at that time.  We haven’t qualified our commitment.  We have given our word.  If we are late, we have fallen short, and I can assure you, the person who has had to wait is not interested in our excuses.  We have not respected  their time.  The same is true with meetings.  If we are late, we are not respecting the time of others.  It is just that simple.  People will respect you less.  (Oh yes they will!)

Years ago, I worked for a company that had meetings with each employee once a month.  For 12 straight months, I would leave 20 minutes early for the appointment with my boss, and would ended up arriving 20 minutes early. One time, I decided to leave just on time.  Wouldn’t you know it…that was the day of the long freight train!  I was five minutes late.  I made no excuses.  I apologized.  I still had my job, but my being late wasn’t a plus.

Leave early and always be on time.  You will gain more respect, and be more professional.