As National Be Late for Something Day approaches on September 5, a former government strategist is challenging the pervasive culture of chronic urgency, suggesting that the relentless pace demanded by modern life may not serve us well.
Alex Snider, meditation teacher and author of "Sometimes You Should Be Late: The Quiet Rebellion of Slowing Down in a World Obsessed With Speed" (Practical Inspiration Publishing, July 7, 2026), argues that the real issue isn't punctuality or productivity, but the unconscious reflex to move at a speed that may contradict our own values. "When we allow the speed-obsessed world to override our own values, we can lose sight of what's best for us and what matters most to us," says Snider. "Honoring your own clock simply means creating enough space to respond consciously and deliberately in the moment, rather than letting others' urgency, anxiety, or agitation make that choice for you."
For National Be Late for Something Day, Snider offers four practical ways to break free from chronic urgency without abandoning responsibility or productivity.
First, acknowledge the pressure. The world is fast, and workplaces, culture, social media, and increasingly AI all reward speed. Many have internalized stories that equate value with being responsive, productive, available, and always moving. Recognizing this pressure is the first step.
Second, separate external "shoulds" from your own desires. Slow down to notice whose clock you're following. Are you staying late because you care about the project, or because you fear judgment? Do you really need this done today, or are you afraid of asking for more time? Asking these questions creates space to distinguish obligation, fear, and habit from what you truly value.
Third, build more spaciousness into your life. This might mean leaving room between meetings, scheduling fewer weekend activities, or adding buffers around transitions. Spaciousness helps you fully inhabit your choices, not because you're lazy, but because it allows you to be present.
Fourth, return to perspective when urgency takes over. When pressure rises, take a few breaths and ask what actually matters. The goal isn't to be perfectly slow, but to remember that even in a fast world, you retain authorship over your choices.
Snider's insights come from personal experience. After 15 years in high-pressure federal environments and a life-altering bike accident that reshaped his perspective on urgency and attention, he began questioning whether constant speed truly helps people live meaningfully. He co-founded Mindful Fed and teaches meditation, exploring what modern busyness gives and takes away.
The book, available at Amazon, Bookshop.org, and BN.com, offers a blend of research, stories, and practical reframes to help readers explore their relationship with time.
This call to slow down comes at a time when burnout and stress are widespread, and many are reevaluating their relationship with work and time. Snider's message offers a counterpoint to the glorification of busyness, suggesting that honoring your own clock is not a rebellion against responsibility, but a path to more intentional living.
