I love this quote from John Reddoch:

“Being on time is an indicator of the value you put on that relationship whether it is for work or family.”

I can hear some of you saying, “But, Scott, you don’t understand. Sometimes I am late because (fill in your favorite excuse here).” Oh, but I DO understand. I understand all too well.

With the exception of medical emergencies and the like (those FEW legitimate reasons), I have never heard of a good reason to be late.

Not, “I forgot.”
Not, “Traffic was worse than I expected.”
Not, “I had to stop for gas.”

Look, let’s get real. If you really, truly considered your appointment as a matter of life and death, you would be SURE to be on time, right? As a matter of fact, if it was a matter of life and death, I would hope that you would be SURE to be EARLY. Well, I have some news for you: EVERY appointment COULD BE a matter of life and death:

– the possible death of your Relationship;
– the possible death of your Job;
– the possible death of your Word;
– the possible death of your Character.

I know that most people have heard this before, but here is another reminder: Your Word is Your Bond.

What some people do not understand is that, when you agree to do something at a specific time, you give that person Your Word. You give that person Your Bond. You tell them that they can count on you. You tell them that they can trust you. Many times they will have rearranged their calendar, or put something else on hold, because you said that you would be on time.

When I had my first date with my wife 18 years ago, I was five minutes early. I had learned years before that to be five minutes early was to be On Time, and to be on time was actually to be Late. Wanting to make a good first impression, I actually got to her apartment complex earlier than that, to be sure that I would be at her door five minutes early (“on time”).

The cool thing that I learned later was that my being five minutes early actually impressed her.

We married seven months later.

Be on time. Every time. Without fail.

You never know. It might just lead you to the love of your life.