Rush Hour

Posted by Ian and Steve on Oct 20, 2011 in Hints and Tips | 0 comments

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My appointment with a client in London was scheduled for 2pm but, knowing the ways trains can be delayed and connections fraught with the unexpected, I left my home about 11.30am.

This allowed me time to take my car to the excellent Park and Ride service, get on an air-conditioned bus, and slowly amble my way to the station.

At the station I had time to spare so called into a local sandwich shop and bought my lunch to go. The pace of life was slow and the sun shining added a Summer’s edge to the end of Sept.

And then the Rush Hour began …

People climbing the rail stairs two at a time as they rushed for the train about to leave the platform.

People spilling their coffee out of their plastic containers as they were barged out of the way as the few seats left on the train were the target of more than one person.

I waited for the next train, casually stepped aboard, and found a nice seat.

Alongside me a businessman was assaulting his laptop keys and trying to talk on his mobile at the same time. People were running through the train looking for some nice seats.

At the intermediate stops the shuffling continued and generally the pace was fast.

At the destination in London I was about 45 minutes ahead of my planned arrival time so I sat on a seat at the station for 15 minutes just relaxing, thinking about my meeting and observing.

Doesn’t anybody just walk anymore?

Is everyone running for fitness purposes?

A glance at the arrivals board always seemed to result in rapid acceleration to the platform.

It tired me out just looking at everyone – and I mean everyone.

I headed for the client’s office and arrived about 30 minutes before I really needed to.

I sat down and watched people rushing in and out of the building.

The meeting was excellent, very productive and afterwards I slowly walked back to my station and repeated the calm journey on the way home.

So what is the rush all about?

Are people just bad at planning their time?

Do people feel guilty if they relax a little on a business day?

Just take some time out and observe those around you … it makes you think they might be missing something.

A Useful Guide to Time Management might need to have a new section added “How not to feel guilty because you are better at planning than those around you” – Food for thought.