6 Reasons Why Being On Time Should Be Mandatory, Not Optional

These are the reasons you should always be on time.

A man with a beard and short hair wearing a white t-shirt looks surprised while checking the time on his wristwatch. He has one hand on his head and a shocked expression on his face, standing against a plain grey background.

Why is it so important to be one time and why do people care so much when I’m late?

If this is a question you’ve found yourself asking recently, we’ve got all the answers you need.

1. It shows respect.

Two men in checkered shirts are shaking hands and smiling at each other while seated at a wooden table with two pints of beer and a plate of chips in front of them. Another man in the background is drinking from a red cup, with stacked firewood visible behind them.

Arriving on time shows that you value whatever it is you’re about to take part in.

Being punctual for a meeting shows that you respect the other people in that meeting, and that you don’t want to waste their time.

You’re essentially sending a message that you understand how valuable their time is and you are honored to share some of it.

2. It shows you care.

Two men, dressed in vintage athletic attire, stand on a clay tennis court shaking hands and laughing. One wears a black and white jacket, the other in a red jacket. Both hold wooden tennis rackets. The background features a chair umpire stand and greenery.

If you’ve made plans with friends, turning up on time is a way of showing that you care.

You want to spend time with them doing something nice, planning a fun trip, or perhaps helping them through a breakup.

Getting to the right place at the right time shows that you’ve made the effort to be with them or support them.

If you’re in a relationship, showing up on time also sends your partner the message that you’re still interested and invested and want to spend quality time with them.

Being late shows that you don’t prioritize them and could lead to more issues further down the line.

3. It makes everything run smoothly.

Two young adults, a man and a woman, walk outside an airport terminal. Both wear casual summer clothes and hats. The man carries a camera bag and the woman pulls a rolling suitcase. The terminal's glass wall reflects their images as they walk on the paved walkway.

Being punctual is really important in a lot of ways, and one of them is scheduling.

Work-wise, being on time to meetings with new clients may help you gain new business and make more money for your company.

It also shows loyalty to existing clients and lets them know that you still care about them, even though they’re already paying you.

In general life, it means no missed travel arrangements, no rushing to fit things in, and no compromising on things.

4. People depend on you.

Two people stand on a wooden balcony overlooking a lush, mountainous landscape with snow-capped peaks. One person with dark hair holds a blue cup and speaks to the other person, who has short blond hair. Both are casually dressed in light-colored shirts.

People depend on you to be on time.

Sometimes that means completing and delivering a project within a deadline so that other people can do their jobs properly.

Sometimes it means showing up to dinner on time so that your table isn’t given away and your date night isn’t ruined!

Whatever it is, people make plans around times and you need to show up in order to keep those plans on the right track.

5. Your reputation is at stake.

A man in a suit with a briefcase is running along a brick building. He has glasses, facial hair, and a determined expression. The scene suggests he might be in a hurry or late for something important.

This is very important when it comes to your career.

If you’re always late to meetings or miss deadlines, you start to look pretty sloppy – it seems like you don’t really care and that you can’t be bothered to make an effort.

Word will spread and you’re unlikely to be taken seriously.

This may lead to people not wanting to work with you as they’ll worry you’ll mess things up for them.

It can also mean that senior colleagues are less likely to put you forward for promotions or exciting opportunities – they can’t trust you to take your job seriously, so why should you be rewarded?

6. It shows you’re taking it seriously.

Two men having a conversation in a casual indoor setting. One man, in a blue shirt, faces away from the camera, while the man in a red shirt smiles and holds a drink, looking at the other with an engaging expression. The background is slightly blurred.

Getting somewhere on time implies that you’re taking it seriously, whether it’s work-related or social.

This is really important if you already have a bit of a reputation for arriving late!

Each time you’re late, you make people feel a little bit less important in your life.

Nobody wants to feel like they’re forcing someone to spend time with them, and being late (or even cancelling plans last-minute!) can feel like rejection.

Take it seriously, commit to it and show up!