Dr. Raj Shree Dhar
Being punctual today is just as important as it ever was. Advisor to the Goverssnor of Jammu and Kashmir , Jenab Khurshid Ahmed Ganai has appealed to the stake holders of schools, colleges and other educational institutions to improve the state of punctuality and make it a habit among the students and teachers as punctuality inculcates discipline, self-confidence, integrity and respect. In fact, punctuality is one of the most valuable habits a person can possess.
Two friends, Zero and Infinity, are again on a friendly tour (like my previous zero-infinity series), conversing and discussing the changes in education system in order to make this world a better place to live in. Zero exclaims, ah! How wonderful the spring appears today and the strength of our connection and faith that help us pull through difficult times and murmurs while singing: Divinity lies within you, realize this if you can…
Infinity with her beautiful smile starts the topic of her interest about the importance of being punctual and explains that being late anywhere is a form of stealing. When you make others wait for you, you rob minutes from them that they will never get back; time they could have turned into money, or simply used for the things important to them. In coming to meet you at the agreed-upon hour, they have made sacrifices-woken up early, cut short their workout, and your lateness negates those sacrifices. If you wouldn’t think of taking any money from another person’s wallet, you shouldn’t think of stealing ten minutes from them either. When you are late in meeting other people, it makes them feel under- valued.
“Yes, you are right,” Zero replies. In some places like Latin America and the Pacific Islands, life moves at a different pace and meeting times are meant to be fuzzy. But this does not negate the value of punctuality to a person living in a culture that defines being on time more strictly.
Infinity twists her brows and replies that we meet for morning walks and if you tell me that you will meet me at a certain time, you have essentially made a promise to me and you meet at the exact time otherwise you are not a person of your word. Being punctual assures that you are at your best. The punctual person organizes the time, pays attention to details, and can set aside a pleasure to take care of business. People know that they can rely on such a punctual person. Whether you are an employee or in business for yourself, being late can hinder your professional success. Many companies have strict policies about being punctual.
Of course, if one arrives late to a job interview, they probably won’t land the position in the first place. Always being late simply hurts you in all areas of your life. It results in lost opportunities like missing a plane/train, missing a meeting, missing an important part of lecture, missing a wedding. It creates stress and can lead to car accidents and traffic tickets. It results in embarrassment and forces you to come up with excuses for why you are late, putting a stain on your honesty.
Zero turns towards right and sees a beautifully hilly area and a mass of light moving over the mountain, clouds with multiple colours and mysterious aerial phenomena with cosmic visions and glowing lights. He says, “I am very glad to hear you, I set out to find any flawed person but could not find any but when I peered inside myself, there was no person more flawed than me, so we have to start punctuality with ourselves first.
The persons who care for others and regard others as more important than themselves are greater than all. Being at your appointed place of duty on time is important because your leadership is held accountable for you and your absence. It is very important for children to develop habits of arriving on time at an early age, beginning from the time they start school.
A punctual student can better perform his/her school tasks in due time than the one who is not punctual. A punctual person looks very healthy, fit, strong, trustworthy and beautiful. Zero asks Infinity, “Whether she knows about the ways to deal with unpunctuality?”
Infinity replies that for becoming a punctual person, we should set reminders or maintain dairy to be on time for every appointment. Leave 15 minutes earlier to avoid traffic congestion, bad weather etc. to arrive on time. We should do advance planning, make best use of time cutting time wasters, and know your limitations, give priority to most important tasks. Punctuality needs patience, activeness, discipline, positive attitude, dedication, and practice.
It is very true that punctuality is the key to success because the person who does not understand the meaning and value of time can never get success in his/her life. And it can happen only when he/she does all the works on time dedicatedly and regularly. Punctuality is the secret of all the successful people in this world. It is well said that ‘Time and tide, wait for none’. The plans of the diligent surely lead to success.
The sun is rising with its golden and strong rays touching the radiating skin of Zero and Infinity and it is time for them to return their homes.
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