{"id":14110,"date":"2024-01-09T08:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-01-09T13:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.meetup.com\/blog\/?p=14110"},"modified":"2024-01-09T09:11:38","modified_gmt":"2024-01-09T14:11:38","slug":"how-to-be-more-punctual-even-if-youre-chronically-late","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.meetup.com\/blog\/how-to-be-more-punctual-even-if-youre-chronically-late\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Be More Punctual (Even If You\u2019re Chronically Late)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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\u2019ll be able to: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Avoid the stress of rushing and the panic of knowing you\u2019re going to be late <\/li>\n\n\n\n
Make a good impression both socially and professionally <\/li>\n\n\n\n
Feel confident knowing you\u2019re in control of your patterns (not the other way around) <\/li>\n\n\n\n
Maintain a more predictable and consistent schedule <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
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\u2014the stress of always feeling the need to rush\u2014without considering the problem\u2019s underlying causes. Tardiness is the surface-level issue that arises out of a deeper lack of organization, calmness, preparation, and practice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u2019ll help you achieve a more balanced life overall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Review your routine <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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\u2019s outfit. Even if you work from home, you might be somebody who\u2019s often late to virtual meetings due to other morning holdups, like making breakfast. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Consider what your particular case is\u2014keeping in mind that it\u2019s common to experience several different punctuality roadblocks\u2014and try out some simple, straightforward solutions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
For example, if allotting travel time is an issue, you could mentally add 15 extra minutes to every commute time for \u201cexpecting the unexpected.\u201d That way, you\u2019d 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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
People who struggle with second-guessing outfits in the morning could try taking 15 minutes before bed to decide on the clothes they\u2019ll 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\u2019t need toasting. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Study your sleep and set alarms <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
There\u2019s no way around it\u2014sleep is one of the most important functions of self-care that humans have. If you\u2019re having trouble with it, chances are you\u2019re having trouble with punctuality, too. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u2014if your bedroom\u2019s too noisy or brightly lit, or if you\u2019ve 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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u2019t be afraid to set a silly-seeming multitude of alarms, one right after the other, if you know you\u2019re the kind of person who tends to snooze. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Get organized <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you\u2019re a last-minute bag-crammer, try packing the essentials the night before you travel, regardless of whether you\u2019re taking a plane to Europe or a subway to work. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Speaking of subways, if you\u2019re 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\u2014don\u2019t wait until the last minute to put gas in your car when you notice you\u2019re running low. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Practice being punctual <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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