Has anyone been habitually late to everything? What positive steps have you taken to change this behaviour?

Answer 1

I was told this tip a few months ago and it has seemed to help my lateness.

Instead of writing down that I have an appointment at 4, I'll write down what time I have to leave. It may only take me 15 minutes to get somewhere, but I'll leave 25-30 minutes before so I'll get there on time if something unexpected happens (like traffic) or I'll get there a little earlier that planned, which is always better than late.

So for that 4 o'clock appointment, I'd write down that my appointment is a 3:30. That way I won't say, "Oh, but it only takes me 15 minutes, I'll just get something to drink first..." Because then I'll be late. Besides, eventually you won't remember what time you're supposed to get there, only what time you're supposed to leave.

And it's always better to be early. It's best to have people waiting on you, rather than everyone waiting for you to show up. There was a study done that showed that managers thought people who came in 15 minutes early and stayed 15 minutes late were more useful to the company, even if all they actually did was sit around wasting time. If someone came in on time, and left on time, but did a ton of useful work, they were still seen as second best. Just something else to think about.

Answer 2

Yes I used to be very late for work last time by at least half an hour which is very bad in my mother's point of view. Of which, she started tuning all of our clocks by 10 mins earlier, and it works out somehow. I am always on time usually. At most I will be late by 5 mins and no more.

Maybe it is also because of my work regulations. Over here, they do not allow any late comers beyond 10mins or half an hour will be deducted from your day's salary. To me, that is a lot.

I have realize that in the end, it is all about whether I want to make an effort a not. Being punctual is a great virtue and I am glad to have this in me now, as being early makes everyone around happy, and I can complate all my work on time or even earlier 99% of the time.

Sometimes, all they need is some encouragement and well a little fine of money I guess. It worked for me. Hope I'd helped.

Answer 3

Get stuffed Joseph B. I'm a woman and I'm never late except when my husband holds me up.

Fleur de lys garl.....the way I make sure I'm on time is to work back wards and set a time for the completion of each step.
1. work out how long it takes to get there which gives you the time you need to leave.
2. from there work out how long it takes you to get ready which tells you when to start and finish getting ready
3. work out what you need to do before you go, then set a time limit for each task. Get the most important done first so that you're not scrambling to get them done just before you go when you could have left some tasks for another time.

Also, as you're doing your other tasks, work out in your head what you're going to wear (I know this isn't always possible because sometines you're having a 'fat day' and an item of clothing just doesn't look good!) so that you don't have that dilemma when you strat getting ready!

I realise this sounds really anal but it works and its not actually that hard once you've trained yourself into the pattern o thinking - plus, it really makes everyone around you happy when you're ontime!

Goodluck!

Answer 4

Without at first realizing I was opening my counseling office late, when I did realize that, I just made a decision. Do I want to be as professional as other respected professions in town and get the referrals I need to stay in business, or do I want to continue to be a bit absent-minded and open about 10 or 15 minutes late, and lose the respect of the professionals I need for business? I simply chose the latter, and I was always open for business well before anybody else in town from then on. It was that simple. God Bless you.

Answer 5

I used to be late to school somewhat regularly.

-Prepare what you need/want to wear and anything you need to bring in advance

-Set the clocks in your house about 10 minutes later than what the time should be

-Take the time to figure out how much time you will need to get to the place you have to go to. When you get a good timing, try to leave at least 5 or 10 minutes earlier than the amount of time that you found

Answer 6

I'm always 10 minutes late. Positive steps that my friends have taken it to tell me a different time to get there then others.

I make it to work by the skin of my teeth otherwise.

Answer 7

Nope, never been habitually late for stuff. But I find that setting an alarm clock works pretty well for alerting you to the fact that you need to get up so you aren't late.

Answer 8

That's one of my pet peeves; Be On Time! I used to wait for people who'd say they'd be by to pick me up at a certain time and not show for, gosh, could be a couple of hours later then originally scheduled; I don't do that anymore; If you're late, there's the 15 minute rule (unless an emergency arises); if you're not where you're suppose to meet me or pick me up within the 15 minute time limit, I'm either gone (no more waiting around) or if they're suppose to pick me up at my house, I'll deny them entry or have left on my own already; I have some Brazilian friends who have no sense of time and I have learned to work around this! If I say dinner is at 7pm at my place, i'll really have everything ready for an 8-830pm time frame because they are NEVER on time; it doesn't upset me anymore...

Answer 9

Ya know...MY HUB is totally late to everything....until he began coaching my son's baseball team. Games start ON TIME. If the coach is not there, the kids couldn't play. Like magic....he was always on time and early. I think this nasty habit comes due to lack of consequences. If nobody ever says anything about it...what is the big deal? It is kind of funny...but since he has been coaching...he has been on time alto more often.

If you have this problem....maybe ask family, coworkers, and friends to give you a consequence. Like....five bucks each time you are late....that would cure me in a hurry. Good luck.

Answer 10

Set your clock 10 to 15 minutes early. Try not complete everything when u know u r running late.