What Does It Mean To Be On Time?
Okay, so this topic really isn’t about blogging but it has to do with being professional and behaving in a business manner. This could help your blogging but its more to do with helping you become more successful. One of my professors always says “On time is late. Early is on time” . The point of this post is that lately I’ve been attending quite a few meeting and it seems like people don’t understand basic etiquette so I wanted to see what your thoughts are on this. This could actually relate to blogging because it deals with deadlines and things of that nature.
1) A Deadline is A Deadline – What people sometimes don’t realize is that even if you have a deadline outside of work, it means that theres a deadline and you have to meet it. Don’t be unprofessional and beat around the bush. Make an honest attempt.
2) If Youre Late, Please Communicate - If you’re running late to something and it was out of your control then let the party that is waiting know that you will be late. Don’t leave them in the dark hoping that they will continue waiting for you. Think about it, you could lose a business deal like that.
3) Don’t plan on being on time - The problem is that when you say that you want to be somewhere by a certain time, you plan everything as though its acceptable to be there on time. You know, shower, get ready, all that. You should plan on getting there 15 minutes early. That way you account for time in case you miss something or theres traffic or an accident. Account for the indirect things that can delay your time.
4) Be Professional - If you’re late and you know it, dont blame it on the traffic. Everyone can come up with an excuse. Apologize and mention that you meant to be on time. If this was your first impression, then you already blew it but make sure that if you are given a second chance that you do things the right way the second time around.
This post has been inspired by some of the meetings Ive had to attend and I wonder if you guys feel the same way. Do you think being early is a good idea or are you always running late? Whats the deal?
I used to be early for everything. (yes, everything). And then I had a kid. And now I’m lucky if I make it on time somewhere. Ultra lucky if I make it somewhere early. Why? Because something ALWAYS comes up. Or even though you warn the munchkin about 5 kazillion times that you’re leaving in XX minutes, at the very last second he will think of something he MUST bring or the world will come to a grinding halt.
As for deadlines, though, I never miss them and usually beat them. Doesn’t matter if I’m sick or the world is ending – my writing always gets done on time and usually hours to days ahead of time.
Being on time is really important. A deadline is a deadline and I always try to meet my own deadlines. You can get way compacted with everything you do not meet one of your deadlines. If you don’t get one thing done on time then everything else seems to not be done on time either.
I live by the rule of being early to on-time. I am usually early, but always punctual. I think that arriving to meet someone early, or meeting an early deadline speaks volumes about your level of respect for that person or the deadlines. Being early is another way of saying that you value the other person’s time just as much as they do. Great post, Enkay. I enjoy your professor’s motto!
I always try to be ahead of schedule, it just doesn’t always happen :S
It really bothers me when I get somewhere late though and I feel bad about it if that counts for anything…
I think it’s important to be on time, though I’m not always on time, I definitely have gotten better over the years. For meetings, I don’t like being late, so I make sure to get there on time.
There are other things for which I may not be there right on time though lol.
Here’s one thing most people don’t know about me: I hate being late. Whatever the event is, being late is something that I try to avoid. Even online, I try to keep the habit.