I’ve always been the type of person who doesn’t like falling into stereotypical categories. You know, people often throw out these generalized ideas about how certain groups act or behave. One that I’ve heard plenty of times is that “black people are always late.” Another one you hear a lot is that “black people can’t swim.” These are just a couple of the stereotypes that get thrown around, but they’re far from the truth. The reality is, people come in all forms, and no single trait defines an entire group. That’s why, for me, instead of just laughing off these ideas or letting them roll over me, I made it a mission to break them. Not for anyone else, but out of respect for myself.
I’m always on time—if not early. I can swim. And if, for some reason, I’m ever running late, I make sure to call beforehand. These traits aren’t just about pushing back against stereotypes. They’re about living in a way that shows I take pride in myself, my commitments, and the life I’m building. It all comes back to one core principle: self-respect.
Stereotypes and Their Impact
Let’s talk about why these stereotypes can be so harmful. When you hear things like “black people are always late” or “black people can’t swim,” they create a narrow lens through which people view you. It’s limiting, because even though you know it’s just a stereotype, other people might assume it’s true. And sometimes, the danger of stereotypes is that they seep into your own self-perception. It can make you question yourself or even start to embody those false ideas without realizing it. That’s why it’s so important to push back against them—not just to prove others wrong, but to show yourself that you’re in control of your own narrative.
Stereotypes can be so ingrained in society that people often take them as fact, even without malicious intent. And when they see someone breaking out of those boxes, it’s an eye-opener. But it’s not about proving a point to others. It’s about setting your own standards and sticking to them.
The Importance of Self-Respect
Now, let’s get to the real heart of the matter: self-respect. For me, being on time isn’t just about punctuality for punctuality’s sake. It’s a reflection of how I respect myself. It drives me crazy when I’m late because I’ve set a personal standard for myself, and failing to meet it feels like letting myself down. Being on time is a discipline I’ve built over time, but it’s also an act of self-respect.
Self-respect is everything to me. It’s the foundation on which I’ve built my values and the way I live my life. When I make a commitment, whether it’s something as small as meeting a friend for coffee or something major like a business meeting, I treat it with the same level of importance. I hold myself accountable because I believe that how I show up for these commitments says a lot about how I view myself.
Being on time is just one way to demonstrate that. It shows that I care about my responsibilities and that I value the time of the people I’m meeting. But more importantly, it shows that I value ‘my’ time. When you respect your own time, you start to see how it translates into other areas of your life—how you treat your body, how you manage your finances, how you approach your goals. Self-respect is at the core of all of it.
Setting the Tone for Yourself
Every day is a chance to set the tone for yourself. It starts the moment you wake up. Are you going to hit snooze and let the day slip away, or are you going to take control and start on your terms? For me, being on time is just part of setting that tone. It’s about discipline, yes, but more importantly, it’s about starting the day off with a sense of purpose.
When you hold yourself to a high standard, you’re creating a mindset that filters into everything you do. Being on time isn’t just about getting to a meeting before it starts; it’s about showing up prepared, mentally ready, and committed. It sets the tone for the rest of the day. If you start off rushing, late, and unprepared, it’s likely that your day will continue in that same chaotic manner. But when you start off on time and with intention, you’re setting yourself up for success.
Accountability: The College Experience
My time in college was a major turning point for me in developing discipline. I’ll admit, I wasn’t always the most punctual person before that. But during college, I realized how important it was to respect my own time and commitments. There were plenty of mornings when I felt like hitting the snooze button, or when I thought showing up late to class wouldn’t be a big deal. But I had people around me—teammates, friends, and mentors—who held me accountable.
Sometimes, it was a simple wake-up call from a teammate, knocking on my door to make sure I didn’t oversleep. Other times, it was seeing how much easier life became when I was proactive instead of reactive. Over time, I started holding myself to that standard, not because someone else expected it, but because I realized how much better I felt when I was in control of my own time. The discipline I built during college didn’t just help me academically or athletically—it laid the foundation for how I approach life today.
Leading by Example
The thing is, when you hold yourself to high standards, people notice. Whether you realize it or not, there are always people watching—coworkers, friends, family, or even strangers. When you consistently show up on time, prepared, and respectful of yourself, you’re setting an example for others to follow. It’s not about trying to impress anyone or put on a show; it’s about being true to yourself. And along the way, you might inspire others to do the same.
There’s power in leading by example. You don’t have to shout it from the rooftops that you’re breaking stereotypes or that you’re disciplined. People will see it in your actions. And for some, that can be the spark they need to realize they can do the same. It’s one thing to talk about discipline, self-respect, and hard work, but it’s another thing to live it day in and day out. That’s what I strive to do—not for the applause, but because it’s the right way to live for me.
Self-Respect Above All
At the end of the day, it all comes back to self-respect. If you respect yourself, you’ll naturally start to do things that reflect that—whether it’s being on time, staying disciplined in your work, or taking care of your health. Self-respect is the foundation on which all other success is built. Without it, it’s easy to fall into bad habits, excuses, and mediocrity.
But with self-respect, you can push yourself to achieve things you might not have thought possible. You hold yourself to a higher standard, and that standard elevates everything you do. Being on time is just one small piece of that puzzle, but it’s an important one. It’s a signal to yourself and to the world that you take your life seriously.
Conclusion
In a world full of stereotypes and assumptions, the best thing you can do is live your life on your own terms. Don’t let society define you or limit what you’re capable of. Break the mold, set your own standards, and live with discipline and self-respect. Whether it’s something as simple as being on time or something as challenging as achieving a personal goal, it all starts with how you see yourself.
Remember, there are always people watching, whether you realize it or not. And by living with purpose, you might just inspire someone else to do the same. But more importantly, you’ll know that you’re living in a way that’s true to who you are, and that’s the greatest respect you can give yourself.
~ Take CTRL or Be CTRLD ~