Learning how to be on time is a skill like any other. It takes a bit of effort, commitment, and discipline to be dependably punctual. But once you establish good habits and develop a solid rhythm with your getting-ready-routine, you’ll be able to:
- Avoid the stress of rushing and the panic of knowing you’re going to be late
- Make a good impression both socially and professionally
- Feel confident knowing you’re in control of your patterns (not the other way around)
- Maintain a more predictable and consistent schedule
For many people, chronic lateness is a hard habit to break. In lots of cases, this is because people only look at the very endpoint of the problem—the stress of always feeling the need to rush—without considering the problem’s underlying causes. Tardiness is the surface-level issue that arises out of a deeper lack of organization, calmness, preparation, and practice.
Take some time to learn how to be on time. Not only will you experience fewer hectic mornings, but you may also gain valuable insights regarding your own tendencies that’ll help you achieve a more balanced life overall.
Review your routine
Think about the things that lead up to you being late. Maybe you frequently underestimate the time demands of your commute, or you end up spending an unforeseen chunk of time putting together the day’s outfit. Even if you work from home, you might be somebody who’s often late to virtual meetings due to other morning holdups, like making breakfast.
Consider what your particular case is—keeping in mind that it’s common to experience several different punctuality roadblocks—and try out some simple, straightforward solutions.
For example, if allotting travel time is an issue, you could mentally add 15 extra minutes to every commute time for “expecting the unexpected.” That way, you’d leave home with an hour in hand for a 45-minute trip, putting yourself in a much better position to arrive with time to spare.
People who struggle with second-guessing outfits in the morning could try taking 15 minutes before bed to decide on the clothes they’ll wear the next day. And if last-minute breakfasts are leading to lateness, try meal-prepping the night before. If that sounds like too much work, get into the habit of quick and healthy breakfasts that involve foods like ready-to-eat fruits, instant oats, or fresh and hearty bread that doesn’t need toasting.
Study your sleep and set alarms
There’s no way around it—sleep is one of the most important functions of self-care that humans have. If you’re having trouble with it, chances are you’re having trouble with punctuality, too.
Most people are familiar with the idea that they should ideally get around seven or eight hours of sleep per night. But good, healthy, rejuvenating sleep is more than just a number.
Ask yourself: are you being intentional with the hour before bed and creating a restful environment for yourself, or is your pre-bed time actually contributing to nervous energy and restlessness? If you tend toward the latter, consider making the 60 minutes before bed a daily screen-free period. Also be sure that your sleeping environment is working with you, not against you. Not all sleep is the same—if your bedroom’s too noisy or brightly lit, or if you’ve been using the same mattress since college, there are some basic changes you can make that will enhance your rest and make waking up easier.
Your last line of defense is the alarm. Try to make it so that setting an alarm becomes a nightly practice just like brushing your teeth. Don’t be afraid to set a silly-seeming multitude of alarms, one right after the other, if you know you’re the kind of person who tends to snooze.
Get organized
Streamline your life with some low-effort, high-reward organizational hacks. If you find yourself scrambling around for your keys in the morning, you could invest a few dollars into a wall-mounted key hook and get into the practice of hanging your keys there every day.
If you’re a last-minute bag-crammer, try packing the essentials the night before you travel, regardless of whether you’re taking a plane to Europe or a subway to work.
Speaking of subways, if you’re a regular user of public transportation, spend a few moments making sure you have money on your Metrocard, CitiBike account, or bus pass, instead of rushing to do so before work. The same principle goes for commuters who drive—don’t wait until the last minute to put gas in your car when you notice you’re running low.
Practice being punctual
Punctuality is a social skill that, like many others, can have real implications in your personal and professional life. Luckily, being on time is actually one of the easiest social skills to work on.
Find some events and activities that interest you, and attend with the goal of being on time to each one. You can start with something simple, like one of Meetup’s online events taking place round the clock and covering all sorts of different topics, then try committing to an in-person event. You can even create your own Meetup group based on any interest you have, and help organize yourself by inviting others to join you!
Last modified on January 9, 2024
