Here, in this first post of the series, I will be discussing how my lack of punctuality affected the trip, what you gain by altering the way you interact with time, and the mindset you can use to obtain punctuality in your daily activities, or to realize what not being punctual represents.
Punctuality Provides A Good Feeling For All
Punctuality shows a value or concern for the time of others. We don’t see this at first when we are late to an activity, but can easily see it when looking back at a time we were late in the past. It leaves a period where the others involved in the activity wonder about how their time is valued, and if their presence means as much to the other person as the other person means to them. These are things that shouldn’t even come up in our thoughts because we can void their entry by being on time.
Meeting One Deadline Instead Of Being Late For Three
We had planned to start the drive to the location of the hike at a certain time, and as that time was nearing, instead of cutting off a couple of tasks I was working on concurrently, I tired to continue and finish them quickly and start the process. This attempt did not work out as I was barely able to finish the tasks and meet up to start the drive until about 45 minutes had passed. A lesson from this is that if you have a choice between doing 2-3 things unsatisfactorily, or doing 1 thing well, stick with doing 1 thing well because then you stay on a successful streak.
Lack Of Punctuality Causes Side Effects And Missed Opportunities
My starting us off late had a large effect in causing us to hit traffic we wouldn’t have hit earlier, be a bit offset from what would have been a better time to start the hike, and end up the hike in complete darkness. We were about 2-2.5 hours up the mountain when it was already almost dark, and that was a frightful occurrence, because even though we had a flashlight, going down a very long trail in the dark is difficult because there is the potential to go down the wrong path that doesn’t actually lead back towards the starting point, or leads toward some dead-end. This is one of those things you don’t realize as much until you are at that point.
Reflect On Times When You Were Late To Understand More
Punctuality would have prevented this alteration of events from occurring, as my friends had good estimates of when we should have actually started. All you need to be punctual in your next meeting or activity is to realize that you will look back in disappointment if you see yourself having come late when you clearly had ample time to even be early. Lack of punctuality, whether for something serious or something not as serious, will leave others feeling that your word doesn’t have as much value as it should. Staying true to your word builds your reputation and value.
Your Valuing Others Is Part Of Success
Being on time is like getting an A for respect of all people involved in the process. They say that showing up is 80% of the process leading to success, and a relevant portion of that 80% is attributed to showing up on time, because showing up late gives people a sense that you didn’t fully show up.
The next part of this article series will involve discussion about the realistic optimism that helped the group through the trip, and which is part of my regular mindset.
{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }
Armen:
I totally 100% agree. I think it is too easy to overlook the importance of being punctual and sometimes we just don’t take it seriously enough. However, punctuality is really a reflection on you and the value you are associating with someone else’s time.
Yes “Staying true to your word builds your reputation and value.” but isn’t it amazing that being late does more damage, than being on time does good.
Sibyl: I know I sure don’t take it seriously enough some times. Associating it with value helps us understand a bit about what we are actually causing when we are late.
Jeanette: That’s a good point. It’s like trust in that way, in that it is lost quickly, but take a long time to build up. There is also a factor of trust in punctuality, in that the others trust that you will come in on time.
Armen,
interesting post. I’ve always been a fairly punctual person. But, I come from a culture where everybody is late for everything. We jokingly called it Indian standard time, 30 minutes later than stated time. So we have to compensate by lying about what time an event starts. Anyways, you’ve dissected the benefits of it quite well.
Srinivas:
Thanks for that. That is pretty funny too because I hadn’t heard about Indian standard time, which I will call IST. That’s a classic. Telling people the wrong is a good counter-measure for that. Your point here made me smile. Nice work on being the one out of the group that isn’t usually late.
Interesting post.
As a fellow outdoors men, I know the downfall that can come from not being punctual. In fact, you have to be punctual to be safe in a lot of instances.
I am interested in checking out the rest of the series.
Dave
LifeExcursion & The Minimalist Path
Dave:
Thanks for that and hello to you fellow outdoorsman. I don’t do big hikes often but run regularly so I would be ready to do one at any time.
That’s a good point about safety. I underestimated various portions of the trip, and that sure comes back to have effects late in the adventure.
It’s funny how I focused on small details of the trip that were minor, and could have been eaten by a bear due to my underestimation. Well, it’s funny now.
I like how you worded the concept–interacting with time. I think there are some who are chronically late that have other issues but your article has many good tips.
Armen pick up the phone! Armen, where are you? Armen! You at friends house yet? Armen, See what happens when you drive a purple neon? LOL It’s all good bro. Stuff happen along the way, just another road bump, but you gotta keep going.
Annaly: Thanks for that. I like saying it that way too. We have the opportunity to have a mutual relationship with the time that is passing us by. You are right about other issues being in place, though. Sometimes someone is called “late” when their actual problem is about fear or anxiety, or some other aspect of their functioning.
Dilan: Good material sir. Thanks for your realistic depiction of the events near that time. We sure traveled a distance~