Let me tell you how to save 5 minutes…for someone else.
On an earlier occasion, I arranged to meet a friend. I arrived 5 minutes after the set time.
On each occasion, I took 5 minutes that weren’t mine.
When I am late to an appointment or when I’m overtime in a presentation, is that…
- time theft?
- inconsiderate rudeness?
- valuing me more highly?
- taking advantage of another?
How could it not be at least one of those?
So…how do you explain being late or over time?
Actually, never mind that. I’m far more interested in how to overcome habitual time theft from another.
Retarget. As my Dad says, “Don’t aim to be on time — aim to be early.” In other words, give yourself a more-than-sufficient time cushion. Aim to be 10 minutes early to that appointment. Plan to stop your presentation 5 minutes ahead of schedule. If you can be consistently late or overtime, you can be consistently early. You can do it! (But not if you aim to be on time.)
Reshoe. Put yourself in the other person’s shoes. That shouldn’t be too hard — you’ve surely experienced being the one who loses 5 minutes to another. Why should anyone else be more thrilled than you at being deprived of 5 minutes? Instead of taking 5 minutes from them, give them an additional five!
Recalibrate. You know how long it takes you to drive to your appointment, but you don’t know what will happen between your Point A and that Point B. So don’t cut your time calculations too close. If you know it normally takes you 7.25 minutes to get to That Place, give yourself 10 minutes. If you figure it will take you 45 minutes to cover your notes, better have about 10 minutes’ worth of those notes as I-will-cut-these-out-if-I-am-running-out-of-time.
Reprogram. Don’t think of yourself too highly. Don’t rudely and arrogantly assume that what you have to do or what you have to say is more important than another’s activities or thoughts! Choose humility instead. And generosity (with others).
Restore. When I think too highly of myself and what I have to say (or do), I need to restore. That is, restore others to a position of honor relative to my view of myself. I need to give preference to them. I shouldn’t presume on them, requiring them to “understand” my weakness.
Repent. You figure out what that means!
Remains. Here are some additional points and tips; I’m out of time to elaborate on them:
- Stop one activity in time to effectively transition to the next in a timely fashion.
- If a phone conversation is threatening your on-time-ness to an appointment, tell the person that you have people waiting and close the call. (Do it with class and consideration, of course, and even offer to call back later if that seems wise.)
- Don’t brush off your bad habit as just being just who you are. Improve!
- If the speed limit is hindering your ability to be on time, it isn’t. You are. Don’t compound your transgression by adding civil disobedience to it.
- Face this reality and adapt to it: Not everybody likes what you have to say (or do) as much as you do.
So you’re habitually over time or consistently late. Others have to give up their time, their words, and their activities so you can indulge yours. I ask you bluntly: Just how important are you anyway?
“And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise” (Luke 6:31).
“Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself” (Matthew 22:39).
“In honour preferring one another” (Romans 12:10).
“If any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace” (1 Corinthians 14:30).
“Thou shalt not steal” (Exodus 20:15).
Now, please give us another tip or perspective on the matter of taking another’s time in this way. (Or correct me wherein I’m wrong in one of my points above.)
And about Philippians 2:3…