WOW Word-Of-the-Week #492: Punctuality
January 9, 2014 by Susan Clarke · Comments Off on WOW Word-Of-the-Week #492: Punctuality
Punctuality – showing up on time.
Do you show up on time for work? Do you show up on time for family events? On a scale of 1 to 10 (10 being the best) how would you rate yourself on punctuality?
This week’s WOW comes from long time friend and subscriber Joe. He writes, “Punctuality has been a strong suit of mine during my lifetime. Like anything else, it is based on building good habits. My father has always been a big proponent of leaving five minutes early, just in case something happened on the way.
A number of years ago I had an interview scheduled in Oakbrook Terrace, IL, which was a good 45 minutes on the toll way from where we lived. Thinking about the possibility of traffic backups, which are notorious on that stretch of road, I allowed an hour and a half. As I was getting closer to Oakbrook Terrace, I did not see a metal object in the road and I ran over it. I knew I had a flat and pulled off to the side of the road. I took off my coat and tie, rolled up my shirtsleeves and began the process of changing the tire. I arrived at the interview site about 15 minutes early.
That gave me the opportunity to wash my hands thoroughly, roll down my sleeves, put on my coat and tie and compose myself before I went in for the interview. I was relaxed when I entered, but did not tell the interviewer what happened on my way there. I just conducted myself as if nothing had happened. Now, while I did not get the job, I was happy that I left myself more than enough time to get there. We never know when these types of emergency situations are going to strike.
Like your husband, I am also a big proponent of doing things NOW, especially when they are top of mind. I don’t like to put off anything until later or the next day because I will probably not get to it. And then it never gets done. My wife is the procrastinator. There is something else always more important to do, so whatever she needs to do does not get completed.
However, my wife is very good about being on time, which is something that both of our daughters are learning. Thanks for the word, Susan. It is amazing what we can get done if we leave enough time.
P.S. A lot of people complain about not having enough time; that just means they did not want to make the time.”
Thank you Joe for another great WOW contribution! This week’s focus is on punctuality. How did you rate yourself? If punctuality is a problem what can you do different? Do you put your clocks ahead? Have you ever thought of padding 15 minutes into your schedule?