| Promptness
is one of those Happy Habits we like to speak of. What
are some of the blessings promptness brings? Here are
four:
- Promptness
establishes trust.
- Promptness
indicates dependability.
- Promptness
connotes respect for the time of others.
- Promptness
is a sign of good breeding.
What are some
of the reasons we may have developed
the habit of being late? Here are four:
1. Interruptions
which have interfered.
2. Lack of planning ahead.
3. Not allowing enough time to prepare.
4. Not allowing enough time to travel.
Have we noticed
it’s usually the same people who are tardy? And
to the same degree? Sixty years ago, when I first moved
to Arizona and became involved outside of my private family
life, I was usually 10 minutes late to affairs. When I
analyzed the reasons, I found that I did not allow enough
time for interruptions and travel. Our town was small
and it only took 10 minutes to travel to my appointments
and thus I was usually late to that degree.
I began to
correct this habit by timing my activities. If it took
30 minutes to groom, I allowed myself an hour. If it took
10 minutes to travel, I allowed myself 20 minutes. The
telephone was no longer allowed to interrupt my schedule;
it became my servant instead of my master. I jarred myself
into reality by asking myself what changes I would make
if I were:
- The person
in charge of the affair.
- The pilot
of a commercial airliner.
- The teacher
of a school class.
- The speaker
at a large gathering.
Promptness
is indeed a blessing. Mastering our time is wonderful.
Try it, you will like it!
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