Living in Jamaica can be one of the hardest things for a person who is always on time.
Why you may ask? Because, in Jamaica, oftentimes, it is fashionable to be late. Whether a wedding, church service, concert, etc, if the announcement says 7:00 pm, the underlying understanding is that it actually begins at 7:30pm, heading to 8:00pm.
For a long time, this mentality really annoyed me as I like being punctual. If I say I will be there at 8, I mean I will be there at 8. The only case where this may differ is if something unexpected happens and even then I will give the persons I am meeting with an headsup.
A few weeks ago, I happened to get a lift to a meeting with the Sales Director of my company. While in the vehicle, we sparked up a discussion about the book he is currently reading. Interestingly enough it was called Thank You for Being Late by Thomas Friedman. The name intrigued me and before I knew it, I found myself urging him to let me hear an excerpt from the book.
The concept was simple. In a age where we are always rushing, we should not get upset at the moments when persons force us to slow down by being late. Instead these are moments that we can capitalize on! In the moments of waiting, we often get clarity on some bright but puzzling idea. Sometimes we notice and get the chance to appreciate something we have never done before. Or even get a chance to catch up on some activity that had gotten left behind in our mad dash from meeting to meeting. Other times, we can use that opportunity to simply breathe!
That afternoon talk certainly altered my perspective on lateness. Now I don’t fuss when a meeting partner is late. I have learnt to use the precious time that fate has gifted me wisely!
Thank you for being late.
