Being late can send a stressful ripple through an entire day – both yours and someone else’s – and no matter what kind of Lateness Olympic events you’re competing in, we have some news for you: Striving to be on time is the only real way to stop being late.
Think of being on time as a way of showing respect
Being on time shows respect for the person you are meeting with and means you are showing up for yourself
- Punctuality can be a reflection of how well you are respecting your own time and your own well-being
Lateness can be local
Different societies have different structures in place when it comes to lateness.
- If you’re not aware of that societal agreement, then you could be in a situation where you might be embarrassed or considered rude.
- Check in with someone who is more versed in that culture.
Be honest about your tardiness
If you know you’re going to be late to something, the very best thing you can do is communicate right away. It doesn’t mean thinking about it and then calling or texting 30 minutes later. It means right at that moment.
Know that departure time doesn’t equal arrival time
Plan ahead
- Ease the transition from home to work by doing everything you can to ease that transition
- Work backward from when you need to be somewhere to give yourself time to prepare
- Leave time for errands that require your attention
Get comfortable with being early
Try to shift your relationship with time so that the 10 or 15 minutes before the start of the meeting/dinner/appointment can be a time to gather your thoughts
- Tell yourself that you will find something to do with your hands, and that those 10 minutes that you’re waiting aren’t actually an entire hour, no matter how much it feels like it is
