It’s one of the biggest pet peeves for most people, but lateness is a curse for others. No matter how much they try, they are late for everything – and they say it’s not their fault. The thing is, manners are so important, and when you arrange to meet someone, or you have a meeting to get to, you need to make that your priority over getting ready or sleeping in.
When you have a job interview, do you expect to get there late? Do you arrive late for a train and expect it to wait for you? Absolutely not. Lateness is not something you cannot get over: we are all capable of taking steps to make life easier, and it involves being organised. It’s worth remembering that alarm clocks wake people from their sleep, so if you are someone who can’t get up in the morning, it’s time to invest! When you are perpetually late, you are telling the people that you are late for that your time is worth more than theirs. If you are unwell and you’re late because movement is hard for you, there are still things that you can do to be more punctual. Let’s take a look:
1.Start with a practice of your route. If you have a job interview or a date, or you are meeting a friend, don’t guess how long it will take you to get there. Set a timer and go on the journey in advance to get an idea of the route correctly. Doing a practice run gives you an idea of how long you will need to allow yourself (plus half an hour for delays), and then you can be there on time. It’s an effort to do it, but if you can’t put in the effort for other people, that’s a whole other problem!
2. It’s time to stop procrastinating. You will only ever give your tasks the time you allow yourself. So, if you are supposed to be at work in the morning for the early shift, and you know you are slow to wake up and feel ready for the day, set the alarm clock an hour earlier than you usually would and give yourself the gift of time.
3. Expect the worst when you have to be somewhere. If you know that you need to get somewhere crucial for a specific time, account for the transport to mess up and account for someone to choose that day to go on a rampage. Don’t allow someone else’s issues to make you late if you can help it.
4. Set yourself a bedtime routine. Yes, we know you’re a grown-up, but if you’re not able to get up in the morning, a bedtime routine is perfect for you. You need to get to bed early, especially if you are a deep sleeper, and you need to switch off your phone. Set the alarm clock and get somewhere with your routine. It would help if you were a grown-up for a change, and that means being prepared.
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