I grew up with a father who had his own business and a stay-at-home mom. My father scheduled and worked his own hours (which consisted of leaving the house at 7 AM for a commute downtown to work out of someone else's office, began working at 8 AM, then he'd come home for lunch from 12 - 1 PM, then return to work and return home a little after 5 PM). He worked 40 hours a week and we always had 2-3 weeks for family vacation. With his own business, he could schedule and charge clients by the hour for his services. I learned the importance of time from him. Additionally, I learned that schedules are dependable on others keeping them.
Today, I have witnessed a completely different respect toward others' time, both in the secular and religious communities. In the secular business world, appointments are made but sometmes revised due to the scheduler's inept time management and lack of integrity to tell others of a pending appointment. I know of co-workers who, instead of telling those over them that they have another engagement, will out of fear prioritize their superior over the previously-made appointment, then go back to their peer and change/reschedule, regardless of any inconvenience it might cause. Business meetings start either a few minutes late or are constantly cancelled and/or rescheduled due to someone else's neglect to inform the other attendees of last-minute changes or inability to attend. In the religious circles, worship services are posted/scheduled to start at 10 AM, but may start "around 10-ish", again due to either what seems to be a lack of integrity, time management or courtesy Even social gatherings are affected.
Now, I am all for relaxation and many times, we shouldn't take ourselves or our time too seriously. However, I believe that we have become too lax in our respect of and courtesy of others' time.
Why can't (or won't) we be more respectful and/or courteous of others' time? I know for me, I don't have THAT busy of a lifestyle, but, there are times in which I have to consider my travel time (I live in Plano, work in Las Colinas [Irving], and worship in Highland Village) in planning my social calendar. I take advantage of when I am in a particular area to do whatever needs to be done while in the area before heading back to another area (while in Highland Village on Sunday, I pick up my mail at the nearby UPS Store). Additionally, I always strive to consider the other's work schedule and travel time. I try to never (nor do I) ask for others to drive more than halfway the distance between our geographical distance for us to get-together. I try to be fair.
I have had a couple of instances with two of my closest brothers when they seem to misunderstand my consideration and think that my control issue is "thinking for them".
Has the era of time management and courtesy truly ended? Or can it be resurrected?
