Punctual And Positive: Ten minutes early beats one minute late. Plus, it gives you time to say ‘howdy’ and catch up on what’s ‘great’!
Punctual and Positive: The Ten-Minute Trick That Outshines a Last-Minute Sprint
Ever met someone who shows up looking like they just floated in on a breeze?
Now meet Nearly-Late Nate—sprinting in, papers flying, one shoe half-on, shouting “I’m here!” like it’s an Olympic event.
The difference between the breeze and the blizzard?
Ten. Magical. Minutes.
Because being ten minutes early doesn’t just beat being one minute late—it gives you time to breathe, connect, and maybe even toss out a “Howdy!” like you own the vibe.
1. Ten Minutes That Flip the Script
Let’s break it down:
Running late = chaos.
Running early = composed and ready for greatness.
That small buffer turns frantic fumbling into focused finesse. You get to review your notes, shake off the “Where are my keys?!” energy, and show up like a boss—even if you’re not one.
2. Small Time Window. Big Human Window.
Showing up early lets you do the most radical thing of all: connect.
You know, like actual humans.
“Hey, what’s good today?”
“Catch any wins this week?”
Suddenly, you’re not just punctual—you’re approachable. And that five-minute chat? It builds trust faster than a thousand Slack messages.
3. “Howdy” Beats “Hurried”
Let’s talk entrances.
You can be Rushed Rita, tumbling in with frazzled energy and a breathless “Hi…sorry…”
OR
You can be Calm Carla, strolling in with a confident “Howdy!” and a smile that says, “I’ve got this—and maybe even snacks.”
And if you follow it up with, “What’s something great going on today?”—you’re officially everyone’s favorite vibe.
4. Small Shift, Big Energy
This isn’t about perfection. It’s about presence.
Want to be the person who walks in grounded, glowing, and a step ahead? Just pretend everything starts ten minutes earlier than it does.
It’s not a trick—it’s a superpower.
✍️Note to Self: Ten minutes early isn’t about the clock. It’s about the calm, the kindness, and the connection you get when you own your arrival.
Try It: The Ten-Minute Challenge
For one week, show up ten minutes early. See how it shifts your energy, your interactions, and your whole day.
Did you dodge the drama?
Did you spark more “great” than “late”?Either way—I’m cheering you on from the early crowd!
AI Sidekick Alert: Today’s Quote was unpacked and shaped with more than a little help from my brilliant, behind-the-scenes AI tools.
About Tony
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Tony Brigmon | Speaker—Emcee | TonyBrigmon.com
Tony Brigmon is a party animal. He’s been known to stay up well past nine o’clock drinking root beer and telling G-rated jokes. Sure, the neighbors complain, but that doesn’t stop him. Because Tony is serious about having fun. Serious fun, with serious results.
As a result of his questionable spelling skills, Tony learned at an early age that his name spelled backward is “YNOT.” As in, “YNOT take a closer look at his book?” Or “YNOT smile when you should be crying?”
Tony was a Southwest Airlines “Insider” and the former “face” of their renowned culture as their official “Ambassador of Fun”. At Southwest Airlines, “fun” was the power of “positivity” that helped catapult a small carrier into a force that changed the airline industry.
Today, Tony is a popular speaker, emcee, and author of The FUNomenal™ Workplace. (FUNomenal™ is pronounced the same as phenomenal but it’s a lot more FUN.)
Former CEO of Southwest Airlines Howard Putnam says: “Tony has a gift for blending fun and capturing ideas in a manner that sticks for audiences.” Tony’s friends say that no one should have so much fun while sober. Tony’s wife said she has had about all the cheerfulness she can stand.
“Fun” transformed this author’s work and life. YNOT discover if the serious power of fun can transform the next 30 seconds of your day or 30 years of your life?
YNOT arrange to have Tony Brigmon teach you and your team how the power of fun can help you get more done, bring out the best in everyone, and make you irresistibly attractive in your communication with others. You can do this. So, YNOT?
