Punctuality is commonly understood as being on time. However, there are many facets to this trait, if used consistently that can make a vast difference in how you spend your daily 24 hours.

• Keep track of time. It’s easy to get caught up in an activity and lose track of time.  Set limits for yourself. Wasting time prevents accomplishing other tasks in a timely manner.
• Prioritize. Little things, like writing down details in order from greatest to least importance and allowing time for unexpected delays can improve your stress and help your day run more smoothly.
• Cleanup. If we take time to put away files and projects prior to moving on to the next task, we improve not only our orderliness but also our punctuality.

One assumes that unequal playing fields will be encountered in some area of our lives.  For example, it would not matter how much time I practiced basketball, my skill would not match Russell Westbrook’s.  It would not matter how much time I invested in acting classes, my acting ability would never match Scarlett Johansson.  If I made all the right investments, I would not be as rich as Bill Gates.  However, when it comes to the number of hours in a day, we are all on an equal playing field. No matter where we live, here or abroad, all of us have 24 hours in every day.  The way we use those 24 hours is what truly distinguishes us; spending our time wisely over the course of 24 hours shows that we understand the value of each second given to us.

Whether you are Russell Westbrook, Bill Gates, or just Michele Dempster working for the City of Owasso, once your time is spent it can never be replaced.  The character trait of Punctuality reminds us to look at how wisely we are spending our time, and to put the time needed into fulfilling responsibilities and maintaining relationships. The past is gone.  The future is not guaranteed.  The only time we have is now.

Originally published in the Owasso Reporter August 2017