Introduction
Whether you’re starting a new job, taking a new class, or somewhere in between, punctuality and attendance is a wonderful set of traits to have in your life. Sometimes, there are situations that are out of your control which make you late for your commitments. That is completely normal and has happened to everyone, but you should not make tardiness a habit…nor should you make disinterest and laziness a habit. There is more to punctuality and attendance than meets the eye and the sooner you learn how to avoid being late and disinterested in your work, the more successful you will become.
Punctuality
In the loosest definition, punctuality means showing up to commitments on time, or in a timely fashion. Punctuality is also polite to others. Now, emergencies happen and it is important to be understanding of such occurrences, but chronic tardiness is considered highly rude and unprofessional in American business culture. Many different cultures have different orientations toward time. And some people can feel immensely embarrassed, insecure, or guilty when they are tardy. When these emotions bottle up, it can make a person forgetful and less focused on little matters that can become bigger and bigger until it explodes. Being organized with the small details in your life can create success with everything you may encounter, regardless of how important it may seem.
Attendance
Attendance makes most people think of roll call before school begins, raising your hand when the teacher calls your name and saying “here.” But attendance means much more than physically being present at school or work. Attendance means having an active interest in your commitments and going above and beyond, rather than just going through the motions. People who are mentally present–as opposed to just physically present–tend to be remembered more fondly. Nobody is perfect, however, and everyone will make mistakes, be it in their educational pursuits or their career. Keeping that in mind, attendance also means being conscious of your mistakes and learning from them.
What’s the difference?
As mentioned, “punctuality” and “attendance” mean entirely different things, yet go together splendidly. Some people are excellent at being present and attendant, but are chronically late, while some people are punctual yet have no drive or desire to be more attendant at work or in other aspects of their life. Learning what goes into punctuality and what goes into attendance will help you improve these traits and skills for yourself.
How can I improve?
Punctuality is not an inherent trait…meaning anybody can learn to become a punctual person. Some people, though, are more prone to being late than others. If this sounds like you, then it is important to outline your day to day schedule (work, classes, hobbies, chores, and anything else applicable to your life) and set alarms so that you can leave on time and get to your commitments without being late.
As mentioned earlier, attendance is more than being physically present. You can improve your attendance at work by asking questions, taking notes (especially concerning complex or confusing topics), engaging with your colleagues (for fresh perspectives on projects or for even offering help), and finishing your assignments in a timely yet accurate fashion (keep this in mind: it is possible to finish projects too quickly, which can lead to improper calculations and more problems down the line).
Conclusion
Punctuality and attendance can make a huge difference in how you perform your job, succeed in school, and live your life. You can’t prevent every mistake when it comes to being on time and being present at work, but you can prepare for them, especially after you’ve become more familiar with the concepts of punctuality and attendance. Familiarizing yourself with ways to improve your punctuality and attendance are tried and true methods for achievement and success.
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