I’m sorry this ‘meeting’ is late. Having to put Island Writers on hold suddenly was a shock, but it had to be done then, before it was too late. I’m investigating online meetings, but I was too late to sort anything out for Tuesday night.
Are you sensing a theme here? Yup – this week, it’s Lateness.
What effects can lateness have?
Missing a chance, losing a job, spoiling an event or activity for other people, breaking up with a friend or partner, being unable to prevent something bad happening… could arriving late ever cause a positive effect?
How do we feel when we think we’re going to be late?
Emotionally – irritated, angry, worried, nervous, terrified – or relieved?
Physically – heart pounding, sweating, tightness in throat or chest, panting or gasping for breath, feeling sick…
How do we behave differently when we’re worried we’ll be late?
Decide to skip part of our normal routine e.g. buying a newspaper on the way to work, move more quickly, do things carelessly and have accidents, treat people rudely, forget items we’d intended to take…
So, what causes lateness?
Lack of consideration for others. We keep people waiting after an agreed meeting time (oops!) because we put our own preferences and convenience ahead of theirs, and see no reason why we shouldn’t.
Disorganisation. We intend to arrive somewhere or complete an activity by a certain cut-off point, but ‘somehow’ we don’t manage to achieve it – because we don’t organise and plan adequately. There’s an element of inconsiderateness here, too, but not always – being too late to catch a train does not inconvenience the other passengers, only you, as you arrive panting on the platform to see the train disappearing round the bend.
Unwillingness. Sometimes the conflict between duty and personal wish causes lateness. We know we’ve got to do it, but we can’t bring ourselves to get started – we delay for just one more thing… and another. Have you seen those t-shirts that say, ‘I’m sorry I’m late. I didn’t want to come.’?
Luck. We make perfectly adequate plans, but on this occasion, the universe decides to thwart our wishes. We allow plenty of time for the task, but an emergency crops up. We catch the bus on time, but there’s a delay on the journey.
3-MINUTE EXERCISE: Make a list of words and phrases connected with lateness.
Running late, get the sack, better late than never, see you later, overslept…
15-MINUTE EXERCISE: Write a piece (short story/poem/playscript/memoir/whatever) which includes someone who is desperate not to arrive late.
Looking forward to seeing what you all come up with… or have I left it too late?
Oh, I suppose you’d all like an Assignment as well…
ASSIGNMENT TITLE: Sticky Stuff