Table of Contents:
If you know me, you know my “on time” is a few minutes late.
I’m rarely early.
Yet, I get heated whenever I’m put into a similar position. I feel disrespected.
I have thoughts such as: “How could they waste my time like this?” or “Do they not know I have things to do!?”
I’m writing this essay at a coffee shop, waiting for a friend to get done with another meeting (45 minutes late). The anger within me prompted me to work through this in a proper space (rather than online or even in front of him).
Before I dive into this concept and look back at its history, I want to share why I hate it when others are late.
No one can generate more time.
Once our “time is up,” it’s game over. No do-over or re-run. This isn’t a dress rehearsal.
That has prompted me to become a bit crazy with my time.
The truth is, most act in the opposite direction; they disrespect (devalue) time. I did for the longest. I let the day direct me, wasting much time in the process.
While neither approach is likely healthy, I believe respecting time is the better option. But it can backfire (as it had for me).
It can slowly build hubris in that you believe your time is more important than others. You (subconsciously) view your time as being of higher value as you put more stock into it, which raises its (perceptual) value–the irony! And this could eventually lead to being late yourself, as you care more about your time than others.