Punctuality has been very important factor since I’ve join the military. Actually it’s been very important throughout my entire life and has an even bigger role now that people seem to rely on me more. I can recall a few incidents where me being late has gotten me in trouble. I’ve been in trouble at school, work, and the military because of my tardiness. It seems I need to learn from my mistakes and still haven’t. Here are a few times from my life where my tardiness has gotten me in trouble and what I have learned from them.
When I was I the 9th grade I was on the baseball team and practice was at 4 p.m. every other day. My baseball coach was very tough on us about being on time because it means that we could have missed some important information on an upcoming game or a practice drill that the team needs help on. On day I decided to stay afterschool to hang out with my friends and went to my friend’s house to play some games. I figured I had time to go from school and back. Probably wasn’t the best idea. It takes 20 minutes to get from my friend’s house to school. Before I knew it, after constantly playing video games, I lost track of time and it was 3:50 p.m., and I just knew I was going to be late for practice. I frantically ran out of my friend’s house and got to the school at 4:05 p.m. I knew that I messed up because when I arrived at practice the minute I got on the field my coach said “Glad you decided to show up.” I apologized and he made me feel as though an apology wasn’t enough (and it wasn’t). After practice he told me that I would have to stay every day after practice for a whole month and clean the field and organize the equipment.
Every time I’m running late or if I know I’m going to be late ii just think about my coach’s face and his voice of disappointment and anger. Tardiness can lead to people not being able to trust you and a feeling of regret coming from yourself. You begin to think “why couldn’t I have to done this?” Or. “What could...