Respect time equals respect others
BACOLOD CITY – Better three hours too soon than a minute too late, famous English poet William Shakespeare captured punctuality in this famous quote.
President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo meanwhile renewed her call to Filipinos to respect time and respect the rights of others by proclaiming November as Punctuality and Civility Month.
The President urged all government offices, schools, colleges, and universities to initiate programs to promote the twin values of respect for the value of time and respect for the rights of others during the month-long awareness drive.
The proclamation cites the need for the citizenry to value time and respect the rights of others for the country to prosper.
Be punctual. The phrase we have heard since primary school days and have formed part of the habit we continue to practice in our professional lives. It is often easy to say but seldom practiced. The big question always is how to make it to work or our appointments on time?
First and foremost, it pays to be early, rather than just being on time. This will allow ample time for adjustments or unnecessary circumstances along the way.
Second, predict commute time or time for travel. Make this conscious effort by monitoring weather and traffic reports most especially if the route is unfamiliar.
Another consideration to save on time is make preparations for the next day, the night before. Decide your outfit, get directions in case you are visiting a new place and lay your keys, purse, backpack and shoes in the dressing area. Allow extra time for each routine activity, if it takes 20 minutes for breakfast, then allot 30 minutes. To be able to stick to this routine, it is important to sleep early at night and if you have trouble getting up early, set your alarm 10-15 minutes earlier.
Don’t start a chore just before leaving the house, chances are, you will end up finishing the chore and leave you running late for work or your appointment. Postpone activities at home that take longer than they should and get back to it when you go back home. It is also not healthy to your schedule if you line up activities simultaneously in a day.
Setting up clocks at home or in the office will make you conscious of the time. Always consider proper time management in one’s activities.
The most important tip is to make punctuality a priority. Being late creates a bad impression of others on you and not to mention unnecessary stress on you. By not making punctuality a priority is a manifestation of lack of consideration of the time of others and eventually boils down to lack of respect for others as well.
According to the proclamation issued by the President, there is a need for a new breed of Filipino who makes the most of his time and respects the equal rights of their fellowmen to their time and freedom, thus ensuring a responsible citizenry
This national campaign was initiated by the Organized Response for the Advancement of Society Inc (ORAS), a non government organization, to promote the national transformation of the habit of people in respect to value of time and respect for rights of others.
Punctuality and civility are two indispensable virtues that our citizenry must possess if we are to aspire for a peaceful, prosperous and united society, let us, as Filipinos do our share by practicing the suggested tips and eventually making it a habit. (PIA/EAD)
