Whether you tend towards being fashionably late or excessively tardy, punctuality is a skill you can pick up. Contrary to what many believe, punctuality is not about being controlled by the clock; rather, it is about being the master of your time.
Try one (or all) of these methods for being better in charge of your arrival:
– Pad your departure time. Oftentimes tardiness results from underestimation. A ten-minute drive might not account for traffic or the extra time required to find a parking space. Make a habit of adding an extra five to ten minutes to your transit time.
– Put together the things you will need for departure, in advance. Gather your keys and sunglasses, set out your clothes the night before, and load your GPS destination or print out directions. Put everything by the door where you’ll see it. Being prepped for launch can eliminate the last-minute delays that frequently cause lateness.
– Set reminder alarms on your smartphone. Admit it – sometimes you’re late because you got distracted by email, Facebook, or a chat with a friend. A repeating tone on your smartphone can be enough to set you back on track.
– On the other hand, you may be better off avoiding distraction in the first place. Try not to engage in distracting activities right before departure time. Unless you’re checking for one last text about a meeting, most of those activities can wait until later.
– Make stops/run errands after your scheduled event, not before. You may think that the stop at the dry cleaners will be a quick in-and-out, but don’t count on it, especially when you’re under a deadline to arrive somewhere.
– Always double-check your calendar. There’s nothing like arriving at 3:00 for a meeting that started at 2:00, to make you feel out of control. Making a habit of reviewing each day’s schedule first thing in the morning can head off any unintended delays.
Written by Lara Krupicka
