A couple of years ago, I stepped into one of my first managerial roles as a retail supervisor. As a lowly college student at the time, it felt like a real promotion—one small rung up the ladder of upper-underlings, complete with slightly better pay and the undeniable perk of better/free clothing. But beyond the extras, that job handed me one of the most useful rules I’ve ever picked up.
Our district manager (DM) was leading the training sessions—an eccentric, boisterous guy who took leadership personally and punctuality even more so. On the first day, the store manager, the other supervisor, and I showed up twenty minutes early and helped him set up. At the scheduled start time, we still burned ten minutes on formalities, tracking down people who were lost, and waiting while others settled in with food and drinks.
Once everyone finally sat down, the DM didn’t ease into it.
“Out of twelve, only three of you made it here on time. EARLY is the new ON-TIME; ON-TIME is the new LATE; LATE is the new you’re FIRED! If this happens again this week, I can’t guarantee you’ll have a position.”
It wasn’t the most original idea, but it landed. And after working more jobs—and having to hire, train, and depend on other people—I’ve come back to that statement over and over. I’ve even applied it to the personal side of my life. Here’s why “on-time is the new late.”
“On time” in general
If you arrive exactly on time, you usually miss the first impression. You’re probably not the first one there, which means you’re walking into something already in motion. Whether it’s a date or a meeting, you’ve made yourself the one reaching for the handshake instead of offering it, the one reacting instead of leading, the one trying to catch up instead of setting the tone. Even if you’re technically on time, you’re functionally a minute late while all of that unfolds.
“On time” when you’re leading a meeting
Showing up right at start time often means you’ve kept someone waiting or, at minimum, left them wondering if they’re in the right place. You’re still setting up as people file in. You haven’t chosen the best seat, tested what needs testing, or gotten yourself positioned to be heard clearly. And if you’re known for being “on time,” people will trend late anyway—because they know you won’t really start without them. The end result is simple: your thirty-minute meeting becomes twenty.
“On time” for a date or a friend
Arriving exactly on time can quietly signal that this wasn’t worth any extra effort—that it fit where it fit, and only when your schedule allowed it. It can also suggest you didn’t plan well: not enough time to get ready, confirm details, or account for travel delays. And then you end up doing the worst part: explaining how you “made it just in time,” along with the excuse tour that no one asked for and no one enjoys.
Are there extenuating circumstances? Of course. Things happen. But that’s why showing up early matters: it gives you room for reality. If you’re late, you’d better have a good reason—because otherwise, it’s the new “you’re FIRED!”
Read Full Article on Thought Catalog -> http://bt.zamartz.com/155MA9w
image – epSos.de
