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How to be Punctual
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Thursday, 12 July 2007 |
How to be punctual and always on time.
Cultivate the habit of punctuality
There is no man living who might not be a punctual man ; and yet there are few that are so, to anything like the degree to which they ought to attain. It is vastly easier to be a little late in doing every thing. It is not so easy to he a prompt, punctual character ; but it is a trait of inestimable value to yourself and to the world. The punctual man can do twice as much, at least, as another man, with twice the ease and satisfac tion to himself, and with equal satisfaction to others. We are all so indolent, by nature and by habit, that we feel it a luxury to find a man of undeviating punctuality. We love to lean upon such a man, and we are willing to purchase such a stafif at almost any price.
Some seem to be afraid of cherishing this habit, lest it border upon a virtue that is vulgar , and is below the ambition of a great mind, or the atten tion of one who has greater virtues upon which he may presume. Was the mind of Blackstone of a low order? Did he cultivate punctuality because he had not great traits of character on which to rely? Yet, when he was delivering even his celebrated lectures, he was never known to make his audience wait even a minute ; and he could never be made to think well of any one who was notoriously defective in this virtue. The reader will be pleased with the following notice of Mr. Brewer, afterwards a valuable minister of the gospel. While a student, he was always known to be very punctual. One morning, the clock struck seven, and all rose up for prayer, according to custom. The tutor looked round, and observing that Mr. Brewer was absent, paused awhile. Seeing him enter the room, he thus addressed him : " Sir, the clock has struck, and we were ready to begin : but as you were absent, we supposed it was too fast, and therefore waited." The clock was actually too fast by some minutes.
It is no great virtue to be punctual in paying a considerable debt, though, even here, too many fail; but it is in every-day occurrences that we are most apt to fail. " I am too late now, but it is only once. I have not been prompt in fulfilling my plans to-day ; but it is only once :" such is the language of procrastination. Be punctual in every thing. If you determine to rise at such an hour, be on the floor at the moment. If you determine to do so much before breakfast, be sure to do it ; if to meet a society, or a circle of friends, be there at the moment. We are apt to be tardy in attending meetings of societies, etc., especially if we have anything to do. " There is great dignity in being waited for," said one who was in this habit, and who had not much of which to be vain, unless it was this want of promptness. An assembly will be glad to see you after having waited for you; but they would have been more glad to have seen you at your post. When there are two things for you to do, one of which must be done, and the other is of what you very much desire to do, be sure and begin the former first. The \vant of the observance of this rule very frequently prevents our being punctual in our duties.
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