Time-Blindness & The Importance Of Punctuality
Photo by Vitae London on Unsplash
Merriam-Webster defines the adjective punctual thusly: “being on time: prompt.” Tardy is defined: “delayed beyond the expected or proper time: late.”
Quoth William Shakespeare: “Better three hours too soon, than one minute too late.” Actress Nicole Kidman is quoted as saying, “I was taught a very strong work ethic that included punctuality, which I’ve always felt is a sign of respect for others.”
I think we’ve all found ourselves in situations where we are annoyed by the tardiness of a co-worker or friend. Perhaps, we have been the ones running behind. Unexpected happenings occur, and occasionally, everyone can exclaim with Alice in Wonderland’s White Rabbit, “No time to say hello! Good-bye! I’m late, I’m late, I’m late!”
Yet, as a society, we may be becoming too tolerant and lackadaisical regarding tardiness. In fact, a recent social media post went viral with claims of “time blindness,” a supposedly chronic medical condition for which the person wanted work accommodations. In other words, “I can’t help being late.” I can’t speak to the veracity of such ostensibly dubious claims. Maybe this is a real issue for a rare few people.
However, in my own life, I’ve noticed that some people don’t appear to be bothered by being habitually tardy. I watch people troop into church late each Sunday. I hear lame excuses from co-workers for being late to shifts far too often. Nearly every week, children are dropped off late to the dance classes that I teach. Arguably, this bad habit of lateness demonstrates a lack of basic courtesy and respect for those who are awaiting your arrival. Without legitimately extenuating reasons, if tardiness is a pattern, it is just plain rude. Yet, up to 20 percent of American workers are continually late to their jobs.
Scripture teaches, “If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones.” (Luke 16:10) Timeliness, relatively speaking, is an unassuming and little thing, but its practice builds character and proves someone’s dependability, personal responsibility, discipline, and thought for others.
In the workplace, continual tardiness can have an adverse effect on efficiency and productivity. One’s actions impact both co-workers and clients. But it’s not only other people who are inconvenienced. We’ve all heard the phrase, “time is money.” The tardy person, if paid an hourly wage, is quite literally curtailing his/her paycheck, a tangible consequence to the intangible weakness of poor time budgeting.
In a classroom setting or at a rehearsal or practice, a late arrival is disruptive to both students and teacher. Material may need to be repeated, and time and progress are lost.
In a social scenario when meeting friends or a date, a pattern of tardiness can erode a good impression or become a source of friction, causing unnecessary frustration for all involved.
Whatever the situation, promptness, or the lack thereof, is always noticed by our companions. If necessary, we should set multiple alarms, have our clocks run fast to give ourselves extra time, write ourselves notes, or make whatever adjustments are required to assume responsibility for ourselves and our time management.
In short…
Undervaluing the importance of polite manners is detrimental to everyone while courtesy is foundational to a civilized society. We should all strive to be our best, to get on amicably with others.
Don’t we all desire to be respected and well-liked? A free and simple way to achieve this aim is to keep our word by arriving at a job, appointment, date, or event on time (or early!). Punctuality equals respect.
