“First of all, late is late—no matter how late!”
When trying to sift through habits of fortune vs. habits of destruction—being a person of tardiness sits right up there with drinking curdled sour milk.
In our western society being “on time” says something about your character, integrity and competence. Unfortunately, being late SCREAMS louder about your character, integrity and competence.
Recently I was speaking with a young, articulate, intelligent, upwardly mobile young man. Let’s say his name is Patrick. Patrick has trouble arriving on time. He realizes it. Struggles with it. But he definitely doesn’t get it. He actually said, “I cannot endure a job where they insist that I arrive on time.”
ARGH!
COUGH!COUGH!
SIGH OF DESPAIR!
Let’s begin with looking at synonyms for being late or tardy. Roget’s Thesaurus tells us the message being received by the world around you whenever you stroll in late shouts:
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I am a delinquent!
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I am sluggish!
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I am backward!
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I am dawdling!
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I am a laggard!
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I’m a slacker!
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I missed the boat!
The world doesn’t like late.
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If you’re late to first base—your Out!
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When you’re late on a kiss—you get a cheek peck!
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When you’re late for a job interview—you’re jobless!
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When you’re late in a bullfight—the bull wins, you’re a Tamale.
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When you’re late opening your parachute—its an uncomfortable landing!
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When you’re late to your child’s first solo—you’re a sad parent!
The critical problem with being late is that you reveal too much about yourself. In the end, being late speaks either disrespect or incompetence, or both. Important things to not have—if you do have them, hide them by being on time, always.
When you are late—you are giving the message that you are:
Self-seeking—you choose your own gain over the interests of others.
Or
Self-centered—you are so focused on yourself and your concerns that you don’t even realize you’re harming others.
Or
Self-destructive—you are incompetent to manage time or purpose.
Being late is a form of stealing, time really is money. Being late disturbs the experiences of others. Being late strains relationships, you are telling them they are under valued. Being late is simply a selfish act.
On the other hand, punctuality is a message of:
•Dependability—if you say you will be there, you will be there.
•Discipline—shows that you can organize your time, pay attention to details, and that you put aside this to do that.
•Humility—you have distinguishing feature in your personal nature with concern for others and their time and situations.
•Respect—shows that you care and appreciate others and shows a deferential regard and esteem for their presence.
•Commitment—willing to do all you can in each of your life roles.
•Productivity—always ready to start and be fully engaged.
What do you want your message to be?
“I am a sluggard that can’t get much done and I don’t really care about you.”
or
“I am the person to get the job done, can be trusted and counted on and will care for the people and situation involved.”
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“Better three hours too soon than a minute too late “ William Shakespeare
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“Better never than late.” George Bernard Shaw
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“I could never think well of a man’s intellectual or moral character, if he was habitually unfaithful to his appointments.” Nathanial Emmons
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“A man who has taken your time, recognizes no debt, yet it is the only debt he can never repay.” Anonymous
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“Unfaithfulness in the keeping of an appointment is an act of clear dishonesty. You may as well borrow a person’s money as his time” Horace Mann
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“Tardiness often robs us opportunity, and the dispatch of our forces.” Niccolo Machiavelli
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“People count the faults of those who keep them waiting.” Proverb
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