In a world where instant responses are the norm and packed schedules are worn as badges of honor, former government strategist and meditation teacher Alex Snider's debut book, "Sometimes You Should Be Late: The Quiet Rebellion of Slowing Down in a World Obsessed With Speed," offers a counterintuitive proposition: being late can be a thoughtful choice. Published by Practical Inspiration Publishing on July 7, 2026, the book draws on Snider's 15 years in high-pressure federal environments and a life-altering bike accident to challenge the default mode of chronic urgency.
Snider argues that the constant rush we experience is not inevitable but a cultural construct with deep historical roots. He traces the origins of punctuality and lateness, introducing concepts like "authentic lateness," "time alchemy," and "standing behind your own clock." These frameworks are not about rejecting ambition or efficiency but about creating space to be intentional with attention and energy. As Snider puts it, "This book is inviting you — nay, imploring you — to notice when speed has pulled you away from your values, to feel what being in a constant rush does to our relationships, to lift the blinders that trick you into thinking you don't have options, and to consciously choose how to move through time."
The book is not a manifesto for laziness. Snider acknowledges that speed can be useful and even an act of care. "Both our speedy rabbit energy and our inner slower sloth have their places," he notes. The problem arises when speed becomes the default rather than a deliberate response. When urgency overrides values, we lose access to patience, perspective, compassion, and connection. This nuanced approach has garnered praise from notable authors. Daniel H. Pink, #1 New York Times bestselling author, says, "This book reminds us that time's real value lies in the human moments we refuse to rush." Jamie Metzl, bestselling author of "Superconvergence," adds, "'Sometimes You Should Be Late' shows why slowing down in the right contexts isn't an obstacle to progress, but a prerequisite for it."
Snider's journey to this philosophy was not academic. After more than 15 years in high-pressure government roles, a bike accident reshaped his perspective on urgency and attention. He began questioning whether constant speed, pressure, and responsiveness were actually helping people live, lead, and relate more meaningfully. This introspection led to the co-founding of Mindful Fed, a community for mindfulness in federal workplaces, and now to this book. Snider holds degrees from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Georgetown University's School of Foreign Service.
Ultimately, "Sometimes You Should Be Late" offers a new relationship with time—not as something to optimize or outrun, but as something to experience with awareness and intention. In a world that rewards rushing, Snider reminds us that slowing down creates space to reconnect with what matters most: our values, our relationships, and our humanity. The book is available at Amazon, Bookshop.org, and BN.com. For more information, visit Alex Snider's online press kit.
