As I sit here with my bottle of wine completely emptied, I’m reminded that I still need to set goals for myself for this year–so here goes!
I hate being late. HATE IT. I think it is incredibly rude and disrespectful.
So then why is it always happening to me??
I’ll tell you why–it’s because I hate waiting almost as much as I hate being late. My hatred of waiting is why I try to calculate EXACTLY how long it will take me to get to there if I hit all the green lights and don’t need to stop for gas under normal driving conditions, and then I add about 30 seconds to that time in the interest of being early. When it gets close to my scheduled time to leave I think to myself, Oh, I still have five minutes to spare! I could make one more phone call/send one more email/pluck my eyebrows/squeeze in a quick workout. And then of course five minutes later arrives and I get up to leave but first I need to run to the bathroom, and fill up my water bottle, and find my keys, and should I try to squeeze in just one more email??
Now I’m in my car, pulse beginning to elevate over the fact that I’m stopped a red light when red lights were not factored into my plan, but now that I’m just sitting here waiting maybe I could shoot off that email I didn’t get a chance to send? Draft a quick blog post on a Taco Bell napkin? Google something?? AGH! I’m just sitting here not doing anything and this damn light is making me late! The light turns green before I can even finish alphabetizing and prioritizing my list of things I could be doing while stopped at said light, and I’m on my way.
DAMMIT, I forgot to factor in parking time! And I’ve got the 4″ heels on today instead of the 3″ heels–I should have added at least another 30 seconds!
Finally I race into the meeting attempting to sound sufficiently breathless over my dramatic stiletto race to the conference room, apologizing profusely saying, “I’m so sorry I’m late! The traffic/weather/parking lot was horrible!” Followed by, “I’m so sorry to keep you waiting.”
While this little voice in my head adds, But better you than me.
AGH!! SO. NOT. COOL. DUSTY!
So disrespectful!
So rude!!
My days of being late are over. My new plan is to calculate exactly how long it will take me to get to there fifteen minutes early. I will then embrace that damn waiting time iPhone time by checking my personal email, browsing my Google Reader, chatting with my friends, and Facebooking. Fun things. Things I want to do. Things much better than waiting. I’m going to be so early to meetings that I’ll be oozing punctuality and respect. People are going to think I was late for the last meeting I’ll be so damn early for the next one.
So there you have it. That is my goal. In 2011 I resolve to be on time. Other goals for the year include running 400 miles, and finding more time for blogging, but I’m pretty sure the punctuality one will be my biggest challenge of the three. I don’t have an exact plan for how I’m going to determine whether or not I’m successful at this goal, but I’m pretty sure I can whip something up at my next red light.
Lol! That is sooo opposite of me! I hate being late and so I’m always planning to be 10-15 min. early. I make sure I have a book in my purse and my phone so I can do all of the things you mentioned. The only time it really sucks is when you’re early and they are running way behind (say at the doctor’s office). Then you better hope you brought that book and your phone is charged and that there is someone in your contacts willing to chat with you while you wait.
Good luck!
Yep – thanks for posting this, I like knowing I’m not the only one who counts seconds not minutes. I should probably work on this too.
I’m with you!! I HATE BEING LATE BUT I AM ALWAYS LATE.
good luck! Being on time was my resolution for 2010. It really helped when I changed my cell phone clock 15 minutes ahead. Suddenly, I was always on time. I even got to the point where I started being obnoxiously early, so I was finally able to change my clock back 😉
LB
I love all those goals, and I wish you well in your ‘be on time’ goal, I suffer from an ‘always 10 min late; syndrome myself.
But my favorite thing you said was “wine bottle completely emptied”. At last ! Can I now send you some of my Syrah?
xo
Kate
I am always late, too. I HATE it about myself, but not enough to do something about it. Dr. Phil said once that selfish people are late because they think their time is more important than others’. It hurt to hear that, but not enough to change it. Good luck!
What a good goal! “Squeeze in a quick workout” made me lol.
jbhat
I was justjustjust saying this to Matt. I hate rushing around before a session and then hopping in my car calling/texting (while driving? you bet) the client that I am 5 minutes late. (Also, on another note, I’m convinced this iPhone to Verizon thing will change my life and suddenly make me perkier, earlier and cooler all at the same time. I think I need therapy.)
Lawd this sounds just like my life! I love your ambition; good luck! I hate that it looks like I’m so inconsiderate with other people’s time but I don’t mean to be at all!
Good luck
So it’s not just me that goes through that scenario every day? It’s like you read my mind. Love to see your running goals – good luck and keep us updated!!
had fun strolling through your blog…love your writing style 😉
I love your goal! Good luck with your endeavors!
I used to be late all the time too. Then I said enough. Being five minutes late = me being grumpy all day about it. What a waste.
You’ll quickly find that being on time feels much better than squeezing that last email in.
Good luck! You can do it!
Seems like a great goal to me. Happy 2011.
Ramblings of a Small Town Girl
Thanks for your comments everyone! I take comfort in knowing that I’m not alone.
@The “L”–Sounds like you’ve got this punctuality thing down. Thanks for the tips!
@LizzieBeth–I’ve tried setting my clock ahead, but it backfires for me. I always remember that it’s not the right time, and eventually I start to convince myself that it’s actually 10 minutes ahead, then 15 minutes ahead, then 20…
@Kate–Ooh, that sounds delicious! Thank you for the offer!
@Teresa–I totally agree with that.
@Mel–I can’t imagine you even perkier, lol!
Thanks Lisa. So far I’m at ZERO miles for the year, so that’s rather telling… I’m waiting for spring!
Thanks Sarah; glad you enjoyed it!
ha ha! this is sooo me. the excuses i can come up with are fantastic!
cute blog, BTW.