Comedian Flip Wilson used to say…“What you SEE, is what you get.”  He was teaching a spiritual principle.  

Change your view point. Your appointments, job, family, team, church, committee, etc. need you and you’re doing them a disservice by not being there on-time and to show up, perform, give or serve.  You’re too valuable to be late.    Realize your tardiness is a problem for others.   Don’t use your lateness as an expression of power. .. “You’re less powerful, so you have to wait for me; I can keep you waiting.”

Frequent tardiness can be a way of expressing unconscious or intentional subtle messages of rebellion, anger and resentment.   Do you find yourself moving slow and late to a job you don’t like or an activity with your spouse/family/parent/friend because you are angry with them?   Do you resent being the caregiver in your family and so you show up late to the holiday dinner or family reunion?   Are you angry with co-workers or your church feeling overlooked and under appreciated, so you show up late to meetings and miss deadlines?   Do you resent filing your taxes and turning in a report on the job or at school because you feel it is unfair or too much of a demand?   Do you feel mistreated by others and your retribution is always being late …and you feel it is justified?   Your acts of tardiness are speaking loudly.  They could be the symptom of a deeper issue.   As you learn to resolve and heal your issues of rebellion, anger and resentment you will be more conscious, respectful and punctual in regards to your commitments and requests from others.

Reframe how you see yourself.  Stop defining yourself as someone whose always late – it boxes you in to that behavior.

Lay out your clothes, important papers, equipment, materials, tickets, laptop, accessories, etc. the night before.  I began to see the costs of being late and the payoffs of being on time.

When I started packing my car the night before a conference speaking engagement or travel, I noticed I had less stress and more time.

Build in cushions before and after everything.  You need drive time to get to appointments - add a few minutes to your estimate.  Often, appointments run over time so build in a cushion there, too.   Check and double check addresses and directions when you are going someplace new.   Take into consideration traffic, weather, parking issues, car problems and bad driving directions.

Manage expectations.   If you’re going to be late, give people a call so they know.  Allow time in the schedule for interruptions and preparation. This includes tasks like getting ready for work, finding locations of appointments, and getting directions.  Be sure to allow a little more time that you think you will need.  Schedule times for social activities and phone calls instead of letting them interrupt your work.

Punctuality is a function of basic professionalism, personal discipline, and respect for the time of others.

There are all sorts of time-management processes and tips that can improve punctuality, but they only work if the person has the discipline to apply them. And if the person has that discipline, they don’t need the processes.

Teach others how to respect your time with diplomacy and conviction.  If you are a people pleaser or weak in communicating your time schedule, you will allow people to put you in a time squeeze.  Here’s a great thing to say: “Excuse me, I hate to cut you off, but I have an appointment to keep.”  It is hard to cut someone off, but they will respect you for sticking to a schedule. The higher up you go in corporate life, the stricter the people stick to a schedule. The good news is that this means it’s perfectly acceptable in work life to draw time boundaries. Get comfortable doing it at work and then you can do it at home, too.  Saying “no” and shortening a phone call or activity to insure your promptness takes forethought and practice.

Prioritize and figure out what’s most important and just get that done.   Communicate with the people who depend on you – like your boss/spouse — what your time frames, priorities and need for delegation are.  I quickly learned from too many late and stressful times the importance of asking for help, putting gas in my car the day before, having a consistent place for my keys, purse and cell phone, programming my GPS before I leave, having phone numbers readily available and keeping healthy snacks in my car to avoid timely stops for food, gas, etc.

Wake up and realize your tardiness can affect your career opportunities negatively.  People, bosses, customers and your children do notice!

After being late for a hair appointment and being informed I couldn’t have my hair done that day and being charged a fee for a missed dentist appointment that I forgot…the costly pain and embarrassment taught me a lesson about respect, organization and punctuality.  Fear, pain, boredom and anger are primary motivating factors in human beings.  Unless there is a reward for being on time…or a punishment for not being on time…you will continue the bad and unprofessional habit of tardiness.

Putting yourself in other people’s shoes can make a big difference in punctuality. If you know what it feels like to be left waiting, then you will be less likely to cause that feeling in other people once you imagine their circumstances.   Remember the golden rule…Treat others the way you want to be treated.”

Set your clocks and watch ahead a little.  Mark the times of your appointments a little ahead of the actual time.

How much time, money and peace of mind have you lost?

How many relationships are ruined because you have not been dependable?

How many career opportunities have you lost because you lack organizational and time management discipline?

How many classes, lessons and projects did you have to repeat because you lack punctuality?

Who’s trust have you lost?

How has your business, family, credit or ministry suffered because you lack discipline with time?

Punctuality shows integrity

Punctuality is a trust issue. When you make an appointment, you are making a commitment to be where you said you’d be when you said you’d be there. The only way you build up other people’s trust in you is by consistently meeting your commitments — and that starts with being punctual.  The person who is always on time is someone others can trust to be as good as their word.

I believe my husband’s limousine/sedan transportation business is successful because he is a stickler for punctuality.  It used to be point of conflict for us because he would be frustrated with my tardiness and I thought he was being too bossy and too rigid.  I believe his repeat customers are “repeat” customers because they know they can trust his dependability, professionalism and punctuality.

Begin to implement these punctuality steps in your professional and personal life and you will experience peace, self-esteem, success,  less stress and gain the respect of others around you.

     The habit of procrastination is a common and big blockage to your experiencing success, health, peace of mind and a sense of satisfaction.  Procrastination steals your time, health, money, blessings, integrity, opportunities, and sleep.

• The thrill seeker  looks forward to the rush he or she gets when facing last-minute deadline pressure.

• Decisional procrastinators - those who simply can’t make a decision; not making a decision relieves this type of procrastinator responsibility for the outcome of events, they rather pass the responsibility to someone else.
• Perfectionists - all or nothing type personality, suffers from paralysis of analysis, offers excuses instead of executing because they want all circumstances to be perfect which is unrealistic.
• Fearful - afraid of the unknown, doesn’t want to be embarrassed or have physical/emotional pain (i.e. dentist, taxes, school test), afraid to leave comfort zone, lacks faith, allows past results to give them a doomsday attitude.
• Dreamer - fantasizes, in denial, believes someone should do the task for them or rescue them, they believe others should serve them because of their status, power, image, age…they feel privileged and above others.  Their head is in the sky and blinds them from the consequences of delay and procrastination.
• Emotionally challenged - lonely, depressed, grief, apathetic, discouraged, addicted, conflicted, taking care of others first, not feeling worthy of success and happiness
• Clutter-bug – this personality type is unorganized, can’t find anything, won’t hang up their clothes, tasks and things pile up, they lack planning and good time management discipline.
• Playful fun type would rather focus on the easy and fun tasks, needs to mature and realize their lack of action will cost them.

1. The big picture of losing weight, graduating, getting rid of clutter, writing your book or getting out of debt can seem daunting and impossible.  Break your tasks down into small steps.
2. Ask for accountability to complete what you start (i.e. coach, mentor, friend,
   

   by Jewel Diamond Taylor

   etc.)  Single, isolated, prideful and independent people need accountability or they will find quit with excuses and distractions.

3. Keep a clock, watch, calendar and things to do list in view at all times.
4. Stop worrying about perfection.  Seek progress not perfection.
5. Don’t lie to yourself and fool yourself.  Take responsibility for the quality and progress in your life.
6. Remember the con$sequences if you continue to avoid tasks. Remember the rewards you will experience if you do take action.
7. Eliminate distractions (i.e. TV, games, phone, food, music, etc.)
8. Spend more time with achievers,leaders, readers and people who believe that with faith and action anything is possible for those who trust in the Lord.  (imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised. ~ Hebrews 6:11-12)

Did you know Jewel Diamond Taylor could be your Success Coach and help you break the procrastination habit?  Would you like to accomplish more and experience progress and success?  To set an appointment for your coaching session call 323.964.1736 or e-mail JewelMotivates@gmail.com

To order any of these cards, send your email request to JewelMotivates@gmail.com or

call 323.964.1736

CONTINUE TO PAGE 2 OF MOTIVATIONAL CARDS

Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life. (Proverb 4:23)

Guard your heart and emotions.   When you experience struggle, lack, shame, rejection and setbacks, these life experiences can shatter your sense of worth and hope.   When things don’t work out or you feel your blessings of success are being blocked…be careful of those self-diminishing thoughts i.e. “I’m a loser, I can’t win, Why am I doing this, It won’t work, I can’t do this, What’s the use?”The enemy of doubt and defeat can take over if you don’t guard your heart and thoughts.   You start to question your ability and opportunities.  A season of drought can cause self-doubt and drain you of your strength.

You can’t hurry God or take short cuts.   You don’t want to compromise your character or lose your faith, lose your way, lose your mind or lose your patience.   When things go wrong, you don’t have to go wrong with them.  Looking for love, comfort or a hiding place in someone’s bed, a bottle, food, drugs, excessive spending, anger or isolation are not the solution.   Learn how to respond to stress and changes in your life with courage, optimism and prayer.  Count your blessings.  Go on a fast.   Get outdoors.  Go for a walk. Enjoy some uplifting music.   Don’t call up the “energy vampires” (you know those negative people who drain your faith, peace and strength).
Take your attention off yourself and encourage someone else today.  Place your attention on solutions, faith and action.  Alter your thinking by laying your problems on the altar.   Be encouraged and resilient.   Some situations are beyond your control.

“Be of good courage and He shall strengthen your heart” (Psalm 31:24).

Surrendering and being still until your storm passes is not a sign of weakness.   Sometimes it’s the best and only thing to do.

No matter how good a person you are or how much preparation you make, stuff happens.

No matter how strong the attack, be still and Trust God.

You may be experiencing envy, threats from bill collectors, loneliness, heartache or wondering how you will get through your season of drought.   Read more in my book “Shift Happens.” ~ Jewel Diamond Taylor

Learning self-discipline in the little things of life prepares the way for big successes.

To hear complete audio message click here

The Lord is my Shepherd (perfect salvation).

I shall not want (perfect satisfaction)

He maketh to lie down in green pastures (perfect rest)

He leadeth beside still waters (perfect refreshment)

He restoreth my soul (perfect restoration)

He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness (perfect guidance)

I will fear no evil (perfect protection)

Thou art with me (perfect companionship)

Thy rod and Thy staff (perfect comfort)

Thou preparest a table (perfect provision)

Thy anoinest my head (perfect consecration)

My cup runneth over (perfect joy)

Surely, surely (perfect confidence)

Goodness and mercy shall follow me (perfect care)

I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever (perfect destiny)

If you have my book SISTERFRIENDS, this above message is on page 82.

There is someplace near you i.e. a lake, a park, the ocean, a river or even your own backyard.   Get outside.   Exhale.  Lay your burdens down.  Gain a new perspective to your old problems.    Watch my short video  and remember to share it with your family, friends and co-workers.

Jewel Diamond Taylor, Conference, Speaker, Minister and Author of the popular book “You Are Too Blessed to Be Stressed.

To book the speaker call 323.964.1736 or e-mail JewelMotivates@gmail.com