Why is punctuality such an important time management skill? Simple — punctuality is a sign of someone who is organized and trustworthy.
If you want people to want to do business with you, or in general spend time with you, you must be on time. If you cannot keep your word to be on time for a meeting, how can you be trusted to do any important task either well or on time?
If you are often late, your career, your social life, and your family life will suffer.
On Time for What?
For everything, as much as possible:
- Project deadlines
- Business meetings
- All appointments with professionals
- Classes and workshops
- Recreation time with friends and family
- Meals, especially when someone is cooking for you
- Work, if you’re employed by someone besides yourself
- Work, if you work for yourself
What to Do if Punctuality is a Problem for You…
On a psychological level, think about how your lack of punctuality is hurting your career and your relationships with others; on the flip side, think about how your career and relationships with others will improve when you are regularly on time.
4 Ways to Be Punctual
#1. Don’t over-schedule yourself. Give yourself an extra cushion of time to finish a writing assignment, for example.
#2. Be clear on your priorities. Don’t let yourself be distracted by low-priority tasks that require you to later rush higher priority activities that result in tardiness for appointments and missed deadlines.
#3. Leave for appointments at least 10 minutes sooner than you think you need to.
#4. Related to number 3, give yourself plenty of time to get ready to leave for an appointment. Get totally ready and then spend the extra time doing activities that can be done in small chunks of time, such as answering e-mails or paying bills.
Be Wary of Working with Chronically Late People
Such people will slow down any project, and they can make you miss a deadline because they haven’t finished their part. The problems they create can hurt or kill a business venture.
Your Take
Are you usually on time? Why or why not? What problems have you had with people that are frequently late? Share your stories and suggestions.
{ 13 comments… read them below or add one }
Very nice tips John, no one likes doing business with peoplel who are not prompt and who do not take time seriously. Thanks for sharing these tips
Glad you liked the post Dia. Thanks for stopping by.
Twitter: @francivile
Good advice John!
I tend to fall into 2 categories … good at keeping appointments with people,
but when it comes to turning in assignments I tend to work better under
pressure!
That hasn’t always worked for me though because of unexpected obstacles
messing things up … I need to work on that
Fran, I’m also very good at being on time for appointments.
I’m also get my freelance writing assignments done on time, but sometimes I do put them off until shortly before they’re due. Not the best practice, but I do get highly motivated to finish them quickly.
I’ve always been chronically the opposite, super-punctual to the point of always being ridiculously early. Every deadline is met at work well in advance, all my college papers were submitted way before they were due, etc. Being early means you have to know what to do with your time. If you can’t check e-mails or surf on your Iphone, you must always have a good book in tow. I’m renowned amongst my friends for my punctuality – “No one waits on Gambolin’ Man” – and when friends are late, I bristle and get anxious. . .but I’ve mellowed considerably over the years. Also, being late for appointments, meetings, picking up kids, whatever, creates dangers and hazards – suddenly drivers are frantically racing around with less awareness and greater distraction. Think about that one!
Good for you! You’re one of the few people that actually gets things done early.
And I totally agree about people always rushing in their cars. I see their tense faces and I feel their tense energy — and they’re dangerous.
Great suggestions, John. The importance of punctuality cannot be understated. I noticed that all the rich and famous VIPs who attend the San Francisco Symphony ALWAYS get there early, and then they relax, have a drink, hob nob, and leisurely stroll to their seats. At symphony start time, the doors close and no one else is let in. It pays to get there a bit early! What do they know that movie goers haven’t figured out?
Very good point Eric. I think what they know is a key reason they’re rich…
John: I can think of so many people I should share this post with. Being on time is so important and it often doesn’t come easy for many people. I think it just shows a respect for whatever it is you are producing and also respect for the people you are working with. I know it is easy to fall into the trap of running late, but the more effort and attention we put on it, the better we get at always being on time. Thanks for the tips.
Sibyl, respect is such an important part of being punctual. When we’re on time, we show that we respect others, and that, in a sense, we respect ourselves.
Twitter: @bigredtomato
I’m often guilty of number 1. When you’re running your own business it’s too tempting to take too much on as you never know when the next ‘pay check’ is going to come in.
Twitter: @throwingabrick
Uh, John – what does it say about me that I just now got your new blog added to my reader? lol
I am really trying to instill some time management skills in my kids and teach them the importance of being reliable. I have found, in my business career, that developing a reputation for punctuality and getting things done is just as important as anything on your resume.
Roy, I’m glad you made it here! I bet it was one of my tweets…
It’s great that you’re teaching your kids about managing time and being punctual. And I totally agree that if anyone wants to be successful in business, being on time and gettin’ it done on time are crucial.