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If your employer installs a fingerprint time clock system, you’ll have a simple, external imperative to arrive at work on time. However, if you never develop an internal desire to be punctual, you’ll miss out on the abundance of powerful benefits that accompany this character trait.
Instead of begrudgingly being punctual because the world expects it, develop this highly beneficial skill (yes, it’s a skill) for the following reasons:
1. First come, first served
It’s often the case that the first people to arrive get their pick of whatever’s on offer. At work, that could mean getting your pick of the day’s tasks. At an event, it could mean getting the best seats in the house. Even if it’s just scoring the best donut at a breakfast meeting, punctuality almost always pays off.
2. Punctuality shows respect
When you arrive on time (or early) every time, you communicate without words that you have respect for your coworkers, clients, or friends. It shows you have integrity and that you’re organized, competent, and reliable. To be able to communicate all of this with one simple action is incredibly powerful.
3. You’ll be far less stressed
Why is it that you always catch a string of red lights or encounter an unexpected traffic jam when you’re running late? Those things never seem to happen when you have plenty of time to get where you’re going.
The truth is that we just don’t notice minor hold-ups when we’ve given ourselves plenty of time to get where we’re going. We’re able to cruise through the day in a far more relaxed state because we’re not forcing ourselves into the mentally uncomfortable position of being late all the time.
4. You’ll save money
If you have a habit of being late for everything, you’ve probably forked out for plenty of unnecessary expenses. Miss a flight, and you’ll have to pay to book a new ticket, usually at a higher price. Arrive late for a meeting, and you might have to pay for more expensive parking closer to the location. Worse still, you might park illegally and end up with a fine. The list of unnecessary expenses goes on and on, and with parking and speeding fines, you’re putting more than just your finances at risk.
5. You’ll have more time to think
Punctuality gives you time to think in more ways than one. First, since you’ll have eliminated the stress associated with running late, you’ll be able to put your commute time to good use. Instead of stressing about traffic and parking, you can mentally prepare for the day ahead.
Once you arrive, you’ll also generally have time to gather your thoughts and prepare for whatever event you’re attending. Whether it’s a client meeting or just an ordinary workday, you’ll be able to use the bathroom, prepare some tea or coffee, and properly settle in before you dig into your work.
6. Punctual people have self-respect
When you’re constantly arriving late, you do yourself a massive disservice. Flip the benefits described above, and you’ll see the harm you do to yourself when you don’t arrive on time. You miss out on special perks, you bring unnecessary stress into your life, you cost yourself money, and you negatively impact your reputation. By committing to being punctual, above all else, you’re making a commitment to improve your life and support and love yourself.
Now that you understand how much punctuality can help you in life, it’s time to go fill out your schedule, set relevant alarms, and start honing and developing this skill.
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