Being Late Is for Slaves

When was the last time you were late for something?

Were you sheepish? Did you apologize, look down, and stumble over your words?

Did you run like a madman and arrive sweating and disheveled?

Or did you just feel sloppy and off balance?

When you run late, you sacrifice your dignity. When you sacrifice your dignity, you lose just a bit of your freedom.

An appointment should already require enough of a performance from you. You don’t need to make things harder by adding the desperation and rushed feeling of a latecomer. Feeling rushed is for slaves, not for people who are masters of their time.

Have you ever felt what it’s like to arrive 15 minutes early and have time for a casual stroll, a cup of coffee, a short read, or a conversation while you wait? You feel like a million bucks.

Don’t be early to please people. Don’t be early because “you’re supposed to.” Be early because being a master of your time allows you to be a master of your emotions wherever you go.

Originally published at JamesWalpole.com.