Being late is one of those things that stresses me out. A lot. But although I really dislike being late, I have struggled with it for most of my life, maybe because I tend to keep myself really busy.
Here are a few tricks that I have put into action in my own life that have helped me take control of my days and get to my appointments on time… sometimes, would you believe it, a few minutes early.
1. Schedule time for travel.
Think realistically about how long it will take to get to your appointments, and schedule in that travel time. Sometimes it’s just a matter of accepting that it’s going to take a good 20 minutes to get there, even though it’s only 5 miles away, because of rush hour traffic.
2. Don’t overbook.
Think carefully about how long each of your appointments will take and plan accordingly. I tend to underestimate how long a given activity will take, and as a result tend to overbook myself. It takes a concerted effort to combat that habit. We all want to say “Yes” to everything and everybody that asks us for our time, but sometimes there just aren’t enough hours in the day.
3. Write it down.
You have heard me beat this drum repeatedly, so I won’t belabor it here. Except to say, please write down ALL your appointments (with travel time) in one place, whether it’s your day planner or your wall calendar or your digital device, so that you don’t overbook.
4. Prepare the night before.
If you are perpetually late to work or getting your kids to school, try getting organized the night before. Pick your outfit, pack your lunch (or your kids’ lunches), and prepare your bag (or your kids’ backpacks) in advance, so that the morning isn’t such a mad rush.
5. Plan to get there 10 minutes early.
This is the tip that has worked most effectively for me. When I plan to get somewhere 10 minutes earlier than the scheduled time, I end up getting there right on time. I always try to remember to carry a book or magazine in my bag so that I will view arriving 10 minutes early as a positive thing rather than as a time-waster.
What about you? What are your tips to make sure you arrive at your various appointments on time?