In an era of relentless notifications and an ever-growing pressure to respond instantly, former government strategist and meditation teacher Alex Snider is challenging the prevailing culture of chronic urgency. His debut book, "Sometimes You Should Be Late: The Quiet Rebellion of Slowing Down in a World Obsessed With Speed" (Practical Inspiration Publishing, July 7, 2026), makes a compelling case for why choosing your own pace—even if it means being late—can be a powerful act of self-awareness and humanity.
Snider, who spent over 15 years in high-pressure government environments, argues that the problem isn't speed itself but when it becomes our default. "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," he says. Drawing on contemplative practice, psychology, leadership, and everyday human experience, Snider explores the origins of modern punctuality and lateness, introducing concepts like "authentic lateness," "time alchemy," and "standing behind your own clock." These ideas offer readers new ways to approach time—not by rejecting ambition or efficiency, but by creating space to be intentional about attention and energy.
The book is not a call to relaxation or opting out. Snider emphasizes that speed can be useful, necessary, and even an act of care. "Both our speedy rabbit energy and our inner slower sloth have their places," he notes. The real issue arises when urgency overrides our values, leading to a loss of patience, perspective, compassion, and connection. In a world that rewards rushing, this book reminds us that slowing down creates the space to reconnect with what matters most: our values, our relationships, and our humanity.
Endorsements from notable authors underscore the book's relevance. Daniel H. Pink, #1 New York Times bestselling author of "The Power of Regret" and "When," calls it "a reminder that time's real value lies in the human moments we refuse to rush." Jamie Metzl, bestselling author of "Superconvergence" and "The AI Ten Commandments," adds that slowing down "isn't an obstacle to progress, but a prerequisite for it."
Snider's personal journey includes a life-altering bike accident that reshaped his perspective on urgency and attention. He is also a meditation teacher and co-founder of Mindful Fed, and holds degrees from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Georgetown University's School of Foreign Service. His book is available at major retailers such as Amazon, Bookshop.org, and BN.com.
"Sometimes You Should Be Late" offers a new way to think about time—not as something to constantly manage, optimize, or outrun, but as something to experience with greater awareness and intention. In a society that equates busyness with productivity, Snider's message is a timely counterpoint: true efficiency may lie in knowing when to slow down.
