Beyond time. Beyond time for everything. Why is being on time so important?
Let's hit 5 top reasons for this today. And starting with probably the
most obvious 1. Being on time demonstrates responsibility. This is a
sign of moral maturity. In my parenting courses, I teach that there are 3
stages of moral development. At stage 1, the earliest stage is very selfish. Very
self-centered. It tends to be demanding and entitled. Stage 2, is a little a
higher level. That's where we stop fighting and we start cooperating. We
don't want any trouble. We want to keep the peace. We're willing to negotiate and
work out a win-win kind of a solution. Stage 3 is the most mature of the
3 stages and it's characterized by responsibility and initiative and the
willingness to serve and have empathy. Notice that this involves getting
outside of your own mind and connecting with the impact that
you're having on other people and systems in your world. So, being on time
demonstrates this responsibility, this level of moral maturity that you're able
to not only track your own behaviors but appreciate the impact that it has on
other people. Which leads me right into point number 2, being on time shows
respect. When I'm late, what am I really saying to other people?
"Oh, your stuff isn't it important. My stuff is what's really important. It
doesn't matter what you're doing. Not really. What I'm doing is what's
important." See that's the subtle message that is sent and it's not always even so
subtle is it. Sometimes it's in your face. It's as blatant as I just said it. That
you're not important, I'm important. You wait for me, the respect that we
demonstrate when we're on time acknowledges to other people that we see
their schedule and their activities as being important as well. High level of
respect. The third point, being on time demonstrates humility. Humility. You know,
as opposed to that destructive pride that we all have... I know, sorry to bring
that up again. But we do. We get so stuck in our own perceptions and how prideful
is it to say that I am so important and more important than everybody else. Now,
I'm not saying you're not important. You are just like everybody else is. So, this
destructive pride that I'm talking about is where we know that we're right and we
bulldoze through life with our own agenda without regard to what's going on
for other people. Being on time demonstrates humility. Your willingness
to fit into the social fabric that exists out there. As a contributor, yes.
But not as the king of the world. This humility will help us to connect with
other people and actually sets us up for point number 4, being on time
increases influence. It sets you up as a powerful contributor to the
conversations that are going on. It shows in a subtle way, like we talked about in
the earlier points that you are morally mature, that you can respect other people,
that you have a humility that allows you to actually be a powerful leader.
People will look at you differently as you show up on time. Now, let's take
another little twist to this thing. Being on time has a whole lot to do with your
positive mental health. And it actually symbolizes how you handle every other
aspect of life. My friend and colleague Art Coombs who has been here on the show
before, tells a story about our mutual friend, Kirk Weisler, who was
interviewing someone about being on time. And the point that Kirk made to this
person was, "You're not just late for work, you're
late for your life. You're late for your son's soccer game, you're late for your
wife's birthday, you're late for your anniversary, you're late for your workout
routine, you're late for breakfast, you're late for life." This symbolizes how you
show up in your life. And beyond that, it's about how we think. Try this out for
just a minute. When you think, "Oh, I'm late. I'm behind
schedule, I'm not on time." And we get that way sometimes, don't we? In our thinking,
in our goals, in our career. we think that we're behind, that we're late. what
happens to your feelings when you switch that up and take this position? "I'm right
on schedule. I'm right on time. in fact, I'm a little early to the game." how does
that feel? it feels totally different which is a great reason to be on time. it
enhances your own mental health to think, "I'm right on time, I'm right on schedule."
Now, it's a choice. I have had many
opportunities to work with groups that have regular meetings and it's so
interesting to see how people handle being on time or not being on time. And
you know what? It doesn't matter what time the meeting is. I've been associated
with groups that meet early in the morning or late in the evening. And it
doesn't matter. The same people show up late no matter what time the meeting is
scheduled. It's not about what time the meeting starts. It's about what is your
commitment to yourself and others. What is your level of moral development? When
you take this seriously and start showing up on time, start being on time.
It changes the game for you and for everyone around you. So it's not just
about fulfilling the requirement. This is about our mental health.
You can also power up your mental help through the positive personal
development playlist here at Live On Purpose TV. I hope you'll check it out.
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