Be on time. It is a simple command, and one you’ve probably heard since you were a child. Yet, one you’ve always likely ignored. Being on time matters, it matters a lot. However, a large number of people have a problem being punctual.

Have you noticed that tardiness is on the rise? People are chronically late for work or even for parties and celebrations. Well, folks, we can say that tardiness is understandable as we are now living in an extraordinary busy world.  We schedule meetings and appointments back-to-back, haphazardly fitting the rest of our lives into a half-hour long time slots here and there. We are always plugged in, constantly inundated with phone calls, emails, and texts that need to be answered “immediately.” As the old saying goes, “they will even be late for their own funeral.”  Yet, punctuality is one of the key ways that we can positively brand ourselves.

The dreaded truth: what it really means to be late …

There are many negatives that go along with having a habit of being late. This quiet truth deserves a voice and it rarely gets heard.

Being late….

• … signals to others that you have self-control problems. In addition, people who are not punctual project incompetence.
• … does not make you an important or special person.
• … is rude to those whom you keep waiting. It tells others that you don’t value their time (which is the same thing as not valuing them).
• … once or twice in your life may be unavoidable but being late consistently makes you unreliable.
• … can make you lose clients, it can make you lose your job, affects your boss’s impression of you and damages your upward mobility at the company.

Embracing punctuality is more than just an admirable trait; it introduces you to a brand new way of living that you will love!

Listen, being late is not in your DNA. It’s not something you “inherit” from your family. It is not a characteristic trait. It is just a good habit and like all habits, it can be broken or preserved. It is a matter of personal choice and priority. Make the right one every time!