The Importance of Being Timely

I was watching American Idol tonight (not really proud admitting that) and they are into their live shows.  No more pre-recording and for the most part no editing.  It happened that one of the judges was late.  Late enough so they had to start the show without her.  What kind dream world does she live in that they will stop filming a live show until she gets there?

The excuse they stated was that she was stuck in traffic but to be honest I don’t care what the actual excuse was.  Why did everyone else make it on time?  Camera crew, contestants, other judges, host, audience and a slew of others.  Didn’t they have to drive though the same town and streets to get to the building?  There are many live shows out there and I haven’t heard of a judge being late or not showing.

Bottom line, when you are late it says something about you.  I think it says you disrespect the others you are meeting.  I think I heard Oprah say that and it really stuck with me.  I understand there are situations that require someone to be late but it should not become a habit. 

I hardly think it is fair for me to be on time and then have to wait many minutes because someone wanted to watch the rest of a program and therefore running late.  I am speaking generically, but I think you get the idea. 

Funny how people that are habitually late, don’t see this!  Why are the blinders on?  YOU are late.  Everyone one else is there.  What is your issue?  Are you royalty and need to arrive late so everyone notices you came in?  If yes, then please wear a tiara and start arriving in a limo. 

Is the starting time just a mild suggestion?  Bringing your kid late to their softball game is now showing your child that it is ok to be late.  Being pissed off at the coach for not letting your kid play in the first inning is crazy.   Your child was not there to hear the important plays the coach had and so the coach has to bench your kid until the next inning.  Wouldn’t it be great if it was like this in life.   You are late for work?  Too bad, you sit out for a bit and don’t get paid.  I guarantee being late would stop eventually.  

At my old job, we had to be at work early to set things up and get ready for simulations.  Most simulations required us to be there by 7:05 am.  I considered myself late at 6:55.  I did everything I could to make it on time.  Some people knew they might be late, so scheduled others to cover for them.  This was the responsible and respectful thing to do.  Not respectful means just not showing up.  Some mornings I would get a call from my desk to run over to the simulator building and get things running because my co-worker failed to show up.

Don’t get me wrong, I was one of the go-to people at work and I really liked helping others but when it becomes a pattern, the actual satisfaction of helping someone begins to diminish and you begin to slowly resent that person.  This is what I am talking about with disrespect. 

So, if you notice that I am late, I may not even have an excuse.  Instead, I just might be disrespecting you…