It is your choice to be late…anywhere. The people that have the most challenges with being on time are usually the ones that protest the loudest, when I say that in my workshop. (The quiet ones are usually the ones who showed up late!) To come up with the underlying reason behind the habitual behavior which makes us late we must take a close look at ourselves, which can be uncomfortable. What’s your reason for being late to a business networking event? What habits do you have that make you late for networking events?
They’re very busy, thus very important; many people wear their ‘busy-ness’ as a badge of honor. We all have our Lame Excuses for being late: Horrible traffic; last minute phone call; client emergency; bad GPS directions… These reasons are all superficial. Do you have a Lame Excuse for showing up late to a networking event? What Lame Excuse are you using for not visiting social networking sites and business networking?
Instead of throwing out a disengenuine ‘Sorry, I’m late.’ A young Realtor that attended one of my workshops said that on the rare occasion that he’s late to an appointment, he apologizes sincerely and simply says “I didn’t allow myself enough time to get here.” It was the truth, plain & simple without the lame excuses meant to throw the responsibility anywhere else than where it belonged, on him. (Then he makes sure he NEVER keeps that client waiting again) What do you need to do to make sure you’re not late to your next business networking event?
We’re all guilty of this behavior at one time or another. The point here is not put anyone on the defense or point any fingers. Instead, find your own truth in these words and see where you can learn and grow. “How you do one thing is how you do all things”, (I heard it from T. Have Eker, but the originating quote source is unknown).
The End of Lame Excuses