Mastering the Timeliness Skill: How it Shaped Me...

The first time I was late to school and got beaten was the last day I ever tried it. It wasn't like I used to be late to school but on this day, something happened that got me delayed and by the time I got to the school gate, the assembly was over and I could see Alfa who was the only tall Muslim teacher standing by one of the junior classes that isn't far to the gate, everyone started running, same as me.

I knew there was no way I would escape his beating or probably punish us by cutting the grass behind the classrooms for an hour before going into the classroom, but that day, his spirit chose to beat and he beat the students so hard and I didn't escape it. I even thought he would spare me too because he was surprised to see me late to school when on a norm, I am always punctual.

Apart from my parents who took punctuality so seriously and would make sure their children went to school early, I used to hear times without numbers on the assembly and how coming to school early would do us much benefit than being late. We would be sounded stern warnings by the harsh and wild teachers that even some would be begging us to come to school late the next day because their hands were always itching them to beat. With that, mom would wake us up very early with our uniforms neatly placed on the hanger and she would also prepare our meal to take to school as everything is being arranged in our lunch baskets.

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I watched my mom who would always be organised with her tasks and hardly would one hear her saying she forgot something or that she misplaced a thing when she was up to do with everything at the right time instead of rushing at the last minute when things could go wrong and disorganised for her.

I learned this skill at a young age and it grew with me. I have always been punctual and time-conscious wherever I needed to be and even when the saying that there is always an African time, still, I wouldn't mind that but to be early to the venue as quickly as I could even if it would make me stay for hours before the event begins. This skill has helped me a lot and with it, I have received respect from it. Few people that are close to me know me as someone who arrives at a place early enough and it is the reason I would always be given a role to take up because they know I won't disappoint them.

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If there were a reason I wouldn't show up early to a venue, I would have put a call across to the one in charge to inform them of the change and that alone has earned me that respect. When I needed to be at a place, instead of staying up late, and in the end would be rushing which could make me forget things behind, I would set my alarm hours before the time to do things I needed to do and in the end, would have some time left to while away with before moving out to the venue which I would arrive early and be settled.

I don't know how to be late to a particular place or do things when it's almost a deadline. Even while in school, when other students would still be waiting to get their fees paid through the portal at the deadline, I would have paid mine on time to avoid unexpected occurrences. On many days, it has delayed lots of students from writing exams while some carry over courses due to late payment which the portal would have been closed after many weeks of grace for them to do the needful.

I don't like seeing myself in some situations that could be hard to bail myself out or seeing myself pacing up and down offices and begging them with different excuses and reasons to back up my claim, it is why I don't hesitate to do things early to avoid such.

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Being punctual to a lot of things has made me organised in my life and it has helped me manage time effectively. Being productive is as a result of punctuality — doing things on time and not waiting for the deadline to start rushing things. It makes me dependable and has made people believe in me rather than not seeing me as one who wouldn't be committed or one who is likely to miss the deadline.

My punctuality has helped me to be attentive to detail rather than not spotting a mistake early enough. Even in an organisation, employers love their punctual employees because it gives them the time to pay attention to details and easily spot errors on time than when it's almost the deadline and may lose a big opportunity. Wherever I find myself, I make sure to stay conscious of time and remain punctual in things I do to avoid mistakes or being disorganised — this is something I hate to do.

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I believe school is one of the best places to teach kids punctuality skill — being punctual to school and doing the right thing on time. After home, school is the next place for kids to learn lots of skills that would help them grow and become productive in their adulthood stage. This is something I have learnt and is helping me achieve lots of things today. With punctuality and being organised, I have been a good person with time management skills coupled with effective organisation.

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