Punctuality is the Key to Your Success

1. Punctuality is the Key to Your Success “I could never think well of a man's intellectual or moral character, if he was habitually unfaithful to his appointments.” How do you feel when your flight is delayed throwing your entire plans out of gear? How do you feel when you miss a job opportunity due to the delay of your car driver? How do you feel when you find people who are late and don’t have the elementary courtesy of expressing regret for their delay? How do you feel when a patient dies due to the unpunctuality of a doctor? Imagine and think. You get annoyed over the people for not being punctual resulting into several implications and complications. What is Punctuality? “Punctuality is the politeness of kings.” Punctuality is a habit where an individual does things on time. It is one of the secrets for success and one of the hallmarks of leaders. Punctuality means being systematic, maintaining everything in orderly manner and completing the task, and being available on time. Punctuality is etiquette. Punctuality is all about doing things timely and being aware of the importance of time. It helps in managing one’s own time thereby respecting others’ as well. Advantages of Punctuality: “I have always been a quarter of an hour before my time, and it has made a man of me.” Punctuality helps in better time management, time discipline and it projects and presents your personality positively to others. It indicates how much concern and respect you have towards others to whom you have given your appointment. It is like valuing others and their time and sends right signals for others. You don’t have to cut a sorry figure for being late when you are punctual. Causes: "The trouble with being punctual is that nobody's there to appreciate it."

2. Excessive work may result into postponement thereby delaying other activities. Lack of seriousness on the part of individuals and taking things lightly may result into procrastination. When people don’t maintain diary they don’t remember the program schedule. In few cases, people forget their commitments and appointments as they are preoccupied with other activities. Improper planning of work may lead to accumulation of the tasks resulting into further delays. Finally, when people are not smart at time management skills, it may lead to unpunctuality. Tips to be Punctual: "We are not saints, but we have kept our appointment. How many people can boast as much?" • Develop a positive mindset to be punctual. • Initially, it requires lot of practice to be punctual. • Set your mental clock as it guides you properly on time. • Learn to respect your time as well as others’ time. • Maintain a diary of your appointments to avoid disappointments. • Plan and organize your life properly and stay focused. • Praise the people who are punctual as it encourages others to be punctual. • Keep slogans everywhere such as ‘Thanks for being punctual’ as it generates awareness and corrects those who don’t fall in line. Conclusion: "Know the true value of time; snatch, seize, and enjoy every moment of it. No idleness, no delay, no procrastination; never put off till tomorrow what you can do today." The habit of punctuality should be developed from the childhood itself by parents and teachers. Become a role model and worthy personality to be taken seriously by others. Sometimes, a few people deliberately delay themselves to have their absence felt. It is not a good sign. Punctuality brings lot of difference in your life. Be punctual always in your life irrespective of your domain, area or sector. It pays to be punctual in this competitive world. Punctuality is the key to your success.