The Early Bird Gets Promoted

Your morning commute is packed with many variables, most of which you can't control.  What you do have power over is when you wake up and when you leave your house.  Giving yourself a healthy time cushion to arrive at the office early has many benefits.

You'll Be More Relaxed: Rushing to get to work on time starts your day off on a stressful note. Being able to get organized in the morning, plan your day and prepare for tasks that lie ahead are elements that will make you feel better prepared, thus reducing stress.

Good Practice: Ever have that one friend who always shows up late? And every time they do, you get pissed off because it's a clear disrespect for your time. You never want to be viewed as 'that guy.' Not by friends, family or an employer. Showing up early sends a message that you value other people's time and it...

Shows You Care: Aside from being a good human being and an example for others, coming in to work early everyday will set a consistent tone, a quality upper management looks for in rising stars. It also...

Earns You Currency: Arriving early day-in and day-out should get you off the hook at a time when a real emergency arises. This will vary depending on your boss/employer.

Keep Them On Their Toes: You're already sitting at your desk working hard as your colleagues arrive. That will leave them scratching their heads.  'Why is Andrew always here so early?' 'Is he that busy?' 'Does he have a life?' It's one thing to think these things, it's another to say them aloud.  If they do, it...

Reveals People's True Character: Inevitably, some of your co-workers will be so vexed by your 'early bird gets the worm' attitude, they'll be unable to contain themselves. Eventually they will find a way to 'combat' your early-morning antics, usually with sarcastic comments. 'Did you sleep here last night?' 'I don't know about you but I don't get paid overtime.'  People making these comments just did you a favor, they tipped their hand. If they're worried about the hours you are working, it might be time to ask yourself why they care so much.

Showing up early to work should also...

Earn You Credit: We realize that the office doesn't always operate in reality, but assuming yours does, it's a simple case of logic. Come in early, get out on time.  And if anyone dares question why you are leaving when you are supposed to, you will have a decent argument when you point to your AM track record.

Bottom line:  Get in early, handle the calm before the storm and enjoy better concentration and less distractions as you set yourself up for the long day ahead.

As my sister's wise piano teacher used to drill in her head, "Be there before you have to be there so you can be there on time."

Comments

[Duane]

I'm gonna have to disagree with you a bit on this one, Andrew, for a few reasons. First, you're making the implicit statement that being at work is better than being at home. Which might be true if you're single, or if your spouse is equally trying to get out the door for her own job. But what about when you've got kids? As a father of three I can tell you that I would much rather spend 5 more minutes with my kids than 5 more minutes getting a jump on my email.

The second is that almost all of your points come back to "be a total brown-noser." You're coming in early to "earn credit / currency" with the boss, but then you're going to show the true colors of others when they start making snippy comments at you? Maybe those people are the ones with the families who consider themselves lucky to get out the door when they do, because of their responsibilities, and couldn't compete with you for the early bird championship even if they wanted to.

Lastly, everything you said can be applied to staying late, as well, so if you don't come in early *and* stay late, then the whole thing is hypocritical. What's worse, the guy who shows up at 9:05 every morning or the guy who punches out at 5:00 on the dot while you're working until 7? You'd better be the latter guy, to earn your credit. And then your coworkers will all say "What're you gonna do, sleep here tonight?" instead of "What'd you do, sleep here last night?"

And now we end up with a work environment where you come in early and stay late in order to compete with your coworkers, who apparently don't like you, to earn the boss's attention which you might never see. Doesn't sound like something I'd love.

This is probably coming off grumpier than it should, and it's not intended that way. Just trying to show you the other side of the equation. I'm on a train schedule, and have very little flexibility in when I leave the house or the office.

[Andrew G.R.]

Hahahhaha! Being at work is better than being at home? Absolutely NOT. If that's the message you got after reading this blog entry, we have definitely crossed streams.

The larger point is not just showing up early for the sake of showing up early. You must do something productive with that time. It's not about kissing ass, it's about making work better.

As someone who has played both sides of the coin at different points in my career, I believe the benefits are there for arriving early. I've seen it with myself and with many colleagues. However, as all things in life, your mileage may vary.

I am a huge advocate of quality over quantity, especially when it comes to the amount of hours you work. The folks who "live for the job" are usually as obvious as day. We have this one guy who is always the last one to leave no matter what. He's the most unproductive individual I've ever met. That's just silly. He's avoiding something outside the walls of work.

I completely agree that there are two sides to the "come in early, stay late debate." Opinions of all types are welcome on Jobacle. Join the debate!

[NightOwl]

I totally agree with Andrew. Being a night-owl myself (since birth), I struggle to get into the office by 9am everyday. The rest of the team is already in the office by then and I feel like I'm a step behind the entire day. I do try to make up for it by working late every day but I think the folks who come in early definately get kudos and appear to be more consciencious and responsible. I'll put your article on my wall to remind myself of the benefits!