Why punctuality matters

Being on time matters for at least three primary reasons. For one thing, being punctual improves and maintains your professional image of success. You demonstrate to others that, come what may, you are prepared for anything.

They will say, "Wow--she's going places!" And it will be true since, as Louis Pasteur said, "fortune favors the prepared mind." On the other hand, arriving late to a meeting requires that you do so apologetically; you've already lost respect in the eyes of your colleagues.

Another reason why punctuality matters involves the positive influence punctuality has on the people around you. For instance, an hour of time is wasted when you are 15 minutes late for four appointments. At best, you likely will annoy the person(s) waiting for you to appear. At worst, you will lose precious time and waste valuable resources--perhaps especially money.

Yet another reason to be punctual every time is that you develop the invaluable character trait of being reliable. Being reliable means respecting the agendas of other people. It also means respecting yourself enough to be where you say you will be at the time you say you will be there. See the running theme? Reliable people are so respected because the people around them come to know that they should be taken seriously.

Ways to stop being late

Reversing chronic lateness need not be difficult. In fact, you can apply three punctuality principles to your life right now! First, accept the brutal fact that no timetable is ideal. Why not? Because unexpected events occur. Traffic accidents cause unexpected delays. Traveling to the wrong address for a meeting--even if no fault of your own--causes unexpected delays. Disabled alarm clocks, noisy pets, coffee spills, difficult children, lost keys--all cause unexpected delays. The only way to decrease the chance of such unexpected delays from becoming excuses is to stop making plans based on the ideal day. Plan your day with a reasonable number of activities. If there is any doubt that you cannot complete an activity, then don't do it. Reschedule.

Please, let me know what do you think!