Are you interested in learning how to respect other people’s time throughout the day? 

Do you want some practical tips to help you put your best foot forward when it comes to managing their time…and yours?

Respecting other people’s time is a skill that everyone should learn. 

Why is this the case?

We all rely on schedules and calendars to set up meetings and appointments for personal and professional commitments. 

We need to learn how to work together well so we can accomplish projects, tasks, and assignments, and reach our goals.

If you’re still not convinced, here’s a simple example for you.

Have you ever heard the below phrase, or something similar, spoken at a meeting or presentation?

“Well, it’s a little after the hour. Let’s give people a few more minutes to arrive before we begin our 9 A.M. meeting.”

At first glance, it may seem the speaker is showing kindness to those who have yet to arrive to the meeting. But, let’s take a look at this situation from a different angle…

What if YOU happened to be one of the people who had arrived on time to the meeting?

You’re punctual, you’re sitting in the conference room…and yet you’re the one who is penalized.

You have to sit and wait for latecomers to arrive. Yes, that doesn’t seem like a very fair situation to me, either!

In this blog post, you’ll find several tips to help you respect others’ time.

Keep in mind that respecting others’ time really isn’t all that difficult.

All you have to do is follow the golden rule: treat others as you would like to be treated.

Ready? Let’s get on with the tips! 

Start and end meetings on time.

When is that meeting supposed to start? It doesn’t matter when your meeting is scheduled to begin, so long as you start on time.

You can look at it this way: we schedule meetings to take place at a certain place and time.

What’s the point in holding a meeting if people aren’t going to show up, or arrive, at that specific time?

Delaying a meeting because of others’ lateness is highly rude and downright insulting to those who arrived on time to the meeting.

What’s more, delaying a meeting instantly devalues the time of the people who are sitting right in front of you.

And who wants to have their time devalued? Why no one, of course!

We’ve all got meetings to attend and appointments to keep.

And let’s not forget the final second rule of this tip: end meetings on time. Extending a meeting by a few minutes inconveniences everyone, and helps no one.

You’ll show a lot more respect for others’ schedules if you promptly end a meeting when it’s supposed to end.

State the amount of time you’ll need from someone…and stick to it.

Arranging a meeting with a colleague? Don’t be vague about your get-together. Tell them exactly how much time you’ll need from them…and keep your word.

It’s quite simple: if you only need fifteen minutes of someone’s time, spend only fifteen minutes with them.

Likewise, if you need thirty minutes of their time, say so. Then, hold up your share of the bargain and keep your meeting to a half an hour.

Doing so shows you truly value and honor the other person’s time, plus, you can mentally prepare for the meeting. If you know you have a limited about of time to speak with someone, you can prepare your conversation points accordingly.

You don’t have to let the conversation drone on and on.

Let others know when you’re behind schedule.

Thanks to technology, it’s easier than ever to get in touch with people while you’re in transit.

If you happen to be running late to an appointment or meeting, always call ahead to let your contacts know you are behind schedule, and are on your way.

Having trouble reaching your contacts by phone? Send a text, write an email, leave a voice message…basically do whatever you can to get in touch with them.

When you do make contact, be sure to let them know your current location, along with your estimated arrival time.

Refrain from volunteering other people’s time.

Don’t put other people in an uncomfortable situation by volunteering their time. You’ve got your own schedule to manage!

How would you feel if someone volunteered your time without giving any consideration to your future plans?

If you happen to hear of an opportunity, event, or function that seems to be an excellent match for someone you know, make a mental note to call them or contact them through some other method.

Whatever you do, leave the decision-making to them.

Cancel appointments and schedules as soon as possible.

Unable to make an upcoming meeting, appointment, or event?

Be sure to get in contact with the meeting organizers as soon as possible.

And by as soon as possible, I mean within the next five minutes after you realize you’re unable to attend a function.

Doing so gives people enough time to rework their schedules, cancel reservations, postpone preparations, get a substitute, and the like.

Don’t delay: the sooner you can alert people about your cancellation, the better!

Give people your undivided attention.

Whenever you find yourself spending time with others, make a point to always give them your undivided attention.

Giving others your undivided attention means you are fully present. It shows them you are 100% living in the moment.

Another way of putting this, is that you are actively listening to what the other person is saying to you.

You’re not checking your email inbox on your cellphone. You’re not staring at the clock on the wall.

And you’re not listening in on the conversation next to you or daydreaming about your upcoming vacation.

Remember, if you’re not paying attention to someone while you’re together, you are wasting both your time, and theirs.

I have a time management guide that could help you manage your time with other people. Click here to find out more.

If you want to respect your valuable time and that of others, let’s talk. Click here to schedule a strategy session with me.

How about you? Do you have any interesting or inspiring stories of people who have truly valued your time? Join the conversation and leave a comment below!