If you want to be taken seriously you have to show up – on time – be prepared – and do the work. ~ Cindy Crawford

Late AGAIN?

Unprepared?

You’re tired and don’t want to be there?

Psychologists believe that being late is a symptom of other factors such as, trouble with self control which manifests itself in being late, overeating, drinking, impulse shopping. I think this is the biggest hinderance to being taken seriously. For me, it’s pretty simple, when I care more about your time than you care about mine, I can pretty much guarantee you that the activity I have planned with you will go away. I’ll fill your time slot. It’s a necessary ending for me. The delay of even 10 minutes will then cause a domino effect in my life where that could mean the difference between being able to take a lunch or not, or leaving late from work. It means nothing to the person being late but I don’t have time for it. Why am such a stickler? You are wasting the most important commodity I as a person have on this planet: TIME. You wouldn’t invest your money in a losing proposition so why would  I waste my time?

The consequences of being chronically late run deeper than many people realize, according to psychologist Linda Sapadin, PhD, author of Master Your Fears. “You’re creating a reputation for yourself, and it’s not the best reputation to be establishing. People feel they can’t trust you or rely on you, so it impacts relationships. It also impacts self-esteem.”

Being prepared is a big one to being taken seriously. If you show up to a meeting and think you are going to wing it, it’s going to waste everyone’s time. What is the purpose of the meeting? What are your responsibilities? In the church where I serve, we are required to be there 30 minutes before class if we are leading that class. The practice was put into play in case a student comes to class with a question or to be prepared for any unforeseen circumstances that may arise.

There is no short cut to achievement. Life requires thorough preparation – veneer isn’t worth anything. ~ George Washington Carver

Finally, be ready do the work if you want to be taken seriously. I’ve seen people passed up for promotion simply because they didn’t take the work seriously, they were good at what they did -when they did it. So often we think our employer needs us, our spouse won’t leave us, our friends can’t live without us. In each of these circumstances it takes work to maintain these relationships. Don’t be lazy. Do the work and do it to the best of your ability.

If you’re not willing to work hard, let someone else do it. I’d rather be with someone who does a horrible job, but gives 110% than with someone who does a good job and gives 60%. ~ Will Smith