Why it is Important to Keep Appointments

Punctuality sometimes seems to be a thing of the past and overbooked schedules can mean missed appointments. It is almost becoming commonplace in the work world to reschedule meetings, cancel appointments or find that participants just don't show up on time or at all. Regardless of what seems to be the trend, it is still important to follow through and one's reputation and personal esteem can be strongly affected by missed appointments.

Of course, emergencies happen. There has to be room for the family medical emergency or some other drastic and uncontrollable event. Most missed appointments, however, are due to OTHER reasons: over-scheduling, running late, poor time management, or simply blowing off a meeting or appointment that seems unnecessary. Unless it really is an emergency, follow through and keep appointments for the good of your career and your own self image.

Each time you miss an appointment at work, coworkers, management, etc. notice. It won't take long before you are viewed as someone who is unreliable. Regardless of what you might think, seeming overscheduled and overbooked does NOT make you seem important. In fact, it will not take long before colleagues and coworkers consider you to be someone who cannot be counted on to follow through and someone who is not a team player.

If you sit on a committee or are part of a board or other decision-making entity and you are a "no show," the effectiveness of the committee or board is affected. While it may hurt the team eventually, it won't take long before the group decides you can't be counted on and learns to work around you. In this way you are just the opposite of important'"you are completely replaceable because you miss meetings and appointments.

Showing up on time and ready to work sends a very strong message. It lets people know that you care about them and their time, and that you take your work and efforts seriously. This will be noticed. If you think that people are not noticing how many meeting you miss or appointments you schedule but don't actually keep, think again. Your professionalism is being questioned and it won't matter what your excuse if it becomes a habit.