National Be Late for Something Day

September 4th – National Be Late for Something Day is literally screaming my name! I forgot to post National South Carolina Day back on August 31st so this post is to “celebrate” my being late for something (as in posting what I missed). I’m a firm believer (as my mother has always been late for everything, but Dr. appts.) of “Better Late Than Never”.

What does the day actually mean?

Believe it or not, National Be Late for Something Day is a literal interpretation. Why? Well, this year it happens to be Labor Day so we won’t get in trouble for it anyway. That’s not the case in most years though. It really just sets out to make procrastination “okay” for the day. I wouldn’t tell your boss that, but go ahead and call in late. Maybe you’ve earned it (maybe you haven’t), but that’s not my call. Studies do show that those who take time to be with family or interact with customers are less stressed. I’m not saying to be lazy. I’m simply saying take time to be with your family, don’t let them forget what it’s like to have you there. Take time to chat your customers up. You may find that you genuinely think more of them than our next dollar. You might also find their likes and interests and better be able to serve them.

Check out these quotes about the family

“Work is work, but family is for life. That’s what really matters to me.”

– Akshay Kumar

“For me, family always comes first; I would do anything to protect them.”

– Mark Wahlberg

The only way to know how customers see your business is to look at it through their eyes

— Daniel R. Scoggin

It’s a relatively basic way of life; be punctual, be concious, be loyal, be a star employee. If you’re not five minutes early, you’re late (at least that’s what I was taught). Also – if you’re late, you better not have a coffee in your hand. It just adds insult to injury with the fearless leader. In other words, if you had time for coffee, you had time to get here at the starting of your shift. In the event you must have coffee (and it isn’t from home), for the love of God, bring one in for your boss. It might smooth things over.

More to focus on today

Use it as a way to make right on missed opportunities. It’s never too late to send a birthday card (well 6 months is a stretch), return that library book (if you humbly ask for forgiveness, they quite often will forgive your late fees). Call your mother! Let someone in your life know that you truly appreciate them and offer to take them to lunch or out for coffee. Life is far too short to spend it stressed out and working around the clock for a job that will replace us tomorrow.

How to observe #NationalBeLateForSomethingDay

Listen, on my way to work (I was late from time to time – kids do that to you) I used to stop on the road and “take time to smell the roses”. Not in the literal sense, but I saw quite a few sunsets and sunrises that were beautiful. I stopped, pulled over and snapped some photos. Other times I was virtually alone on the road and , I’ll admit, took the photo while….well when I shouldn’t have. The point is, look around you, take in God’s beautiful creation. Don’t go through life with tunnel vision and expect to remember it someday when you’re old. The things you do today will create the memories in years to come. Here are some of those pics I snapped for real.

While you’re procrastinating about life, perhaps you can peruse this Wikipedia article about the National Procrastinator’s Club and see if it’s right for you. Or just procrastinate and do nothing.

And if you missed yesterday’s National Day, no worries, you can find it here.