The Importance of Punctuality in Life
(accountability)
Most people regard lateness as a minor and pardonable offence and sometimes show up to engagements intentionally late, expecting the other party to easily forgive them. This attitude towards time is very common among young people and people without demanding or busy schedules. Being late communicates more than ‘something held me back for a few seconds’, it speaks volumes about your character, it has the ability to negatively affect the success of a mission and create an unfavorable reputation that would last many years.
When we are the one running late to a muster or other meeting we automatically expect to be forgiven and see nothing really wrong with our actions, but when we are the one who has to wait for someone running late, we see the importance of being on time and grasp the undesirability of lateness. When individuals are not punctual they cause a lot of inconvenience to others. People have to wait for them and waste their valuable time. Want of punctuality reveals want of culture and is discourteous to the person we fail. For many years, teachers have highlighted the importance of being punctual, not only for the other person’s sake but for one’s self. When we show up to a meeting at the exact time we say we would, we develop a sense of responsibility and pride for being able to do what we have said and are most likely to repeat the act.
Punctuality communicates discipline and reliability. Nobody chastises a person who is punctual, he/she is seen as serious and professional. Using the business world as an example, many successful businessmen stress the importance of punctuality in their success. Many say it is their secret. All of us are not born with the virtue of punctuality. We have to learn it and make it part of who we are. Only constant work and practice can make this a habit.
More than anything punctuality communicates respect for other people and interest in the purpose of the meeting....