From Idioms to Education

Idiom #10

 “Better late than never”

Better late than never?  I am not so sure!  Many people rationalize their tardiness in this manner.  For me, this is unacceptable.  This attitude of being “fashionably late” or the notion that “a few minutes late never hurt anyone” is hurtful both to your colleagues, teammates, or organization.

Why is it so difficult to be on time?  I personalize it when people are late to one of my events, be it a meeting, practice, or some other perhaps insignificant engagement.  It shows a lack of respect and commitment.  Tardiness also reflects poorly on your organizational skills.

I certainly understand that at times “stuff” happens.  And yes, everyone can be late.  I always would appreciate it though, if someone would give me a “heads up” via a call, text, or message.  However, you cannot go to this well too often because then it becomes not incidental but habitual.

For any educator who is reading this I ask them how do they feel when students parade in late to a class after the class has started?  It breaks the rhythm and continuity of both your thought and the thought of the other students in the class.

Time is precious.  It is a resource that we cannot afford to waste.

People that have worked with me say that I am unreasonable about this.  When I was coaching, players learned very quickly that if I said the bus left at 10:15 the bus left at 10:15 with you or without you.  This has been an ongoing area of stress between my wife and me.  And after 39 years of marriage she is quick to point out to me that, “the early bird may catch the worm, but the early worm gets eaten”.

I know that I will not change my attitude on this subject because it is very important to me.  Punctuality helps set the tone.  So, if I continue to be that early worm, it will take a very big bird to eat me.