Even earlier.
Coming from different corporate worlds of foreign companies in about two decades, I was used to strict adherence to agreed time specially during business meetings. That adherence is five minutes earlier as on time, on time is late and one minute late is unacceptable. You would be lucky if other attendees are still waiting for you when you arrive a minute late. Worse case, they will report you to your boss for wasting their time.
When I stayed in the province, I struggled keeping up with the wrong mindset and definition of Filipino time. You agree on a certain time to meet and people will arrive one hour later like it is just normal. Practicing professionals even seem to deliberately make you wait because they feel privileged. What's worse? They don't notify you that they'll gonna be late because again, they think it is just normal to be late.
At times I literally felt like getting sick while waiting. With such regular disposition from others, I came to the point of intentionally arriving late because I know I will be waiting anyway if I arrive on time. That was until I met someone who shook me with "American time."
I set an appointment with arbitrary time of "around ten to ten thirty tomorrow" and my contact cut me off.
In Ilocano-ish he answered, "If ten then ten. American time. I'll be there at ten."
Even if we were on the phone, that was a slap on my face specially "American time". No offense, American friends.
I vowed to be on time. With my anxiousness I arrived on site at 9:12am, 48 minutes early. Guess what? My contact arrived at 10:25am. Twenty five minutes late! With his "American time" challenge and if I wasn't the one in need, I would have left at one minute later. I wanted to ask what happened to his American time but I managed to stick to business without being sarcastic.
In spite of my contact's fallen heroic time management, the incident was a challenge to get back to the real Filipino time discipline. Time is a very valuable resource in both personal or professional setting. Scheduled meeting represents commitment of time and cooperation from all participants. Respecting meeting time is not just about being early. It is about valuing people, productivity and purpose, among others...
Being punctual helps avoid stressing anyone among the participants. Don't be that stress trigger to others.
Trust and accountability. Meeting on time builds trust and reinforces accountability. Don't be that reason of frustration and diminished morale.
Foster productivity by staying on topic when participants know that their time will be used efficiently. Don't be that who waste so much time and more resources of others.
Respecting the time of a meeting is a sign of professionalism, leadership, efficiency, effectiveness, respect and ultimately self-discipline. Filipinos have these positive traits so it is high time to keep it that way, or even on higher ground.
