You know the ones. They’re always late and always have an excuse. But it’s never their fault. What does Penelope know that Buford does not?
Buford’s Story
A frustrated Buford explained to the student sitting beside him why he was late to school…again.
“Well, I woke up late, and so I couldn’t find any clean socks, so I had to borrow a pair from my brother. And I had to get lunch money, but Mom didn’t have any. So I had to call Dad who had left for work. Dad had to turn around and come home to give me lunch money. I couldn’t find my homework. By the time I found my homework and found where I put all of my books and then put everything in my book bag, I missed the bus.”
It’s pretty much the same story he gave the teacher yesterday when she asked, “Buford, why are you late again?”
Penelope’s Story
Penelope was sitting nearby and heard Buford lament about his troubles. She simply shook her head. Penelope knew how easy it was to make the morning go smoothly. She had learned the magic of getting everything ready the night before. Before going to bed, Penelope finished all her homework.
She had a couple of papers for her parents to sign. Penelope got her parents to sign them right after dinner. She put the papers in a designated spot in her three-ring binder. Penelope put her completed homework in the binder as well. Before bed, Penelope put her binder and laptop in the book bag.
Penelope knew she needed lunch money, so she asked her parents for it and put it in her coin purse. Penelope also decided what she wanted to wear the following morning. She placed the items together.
The next morning, getting ready for school was easy. Getting to the bus stop on time was a breeze. The day was off to a good start…as usual.
What’s Your Story?
Whether the setting is an elementary school, the corporate office, or anywhere between, you and I know the ones we can count on to be late…consistently. Ask “Why are you late?” and there’s always a story. There’s always an excuse. Most of all, it’s never their fault.
They got stopped by a train, the train that comes along about the same time every day. Traffic was heavy, and it’s heavy every day at that time. They couldn’t find [fill in the blank], because they have never established places to put those things.
How good do you feel when you are among the first to arrive at school (when you’re 8) and among the first to arrive at the meeting (when you’re 38)?
- You feel relaxed.
- You feel more confident.
- You think clearer.
- You are ready for new opportunities.
- Luck just seems to come your way.
How good do you feel when people are not looking at you and asking, “Why are you late?”
How good you can feel when people are not
looking at you and asking, “Why are you late?”
Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.
-Elmer G. Leteman
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