How can a chronically late person train themselves to be on time?

Question

Serious answers only, please. I've already tried setting the times on my clocks, waking up earlier, etc. Traditional methods have only had short lived success.

Please help!

Answer 1

See it for what it really is. Tune into how selfish an act it is and how disrespectful you are being to others and don't tolerate such unacceptable behavior from yourself any longer. Sorry to be so harsh, but it's like my #1 pet peeve. Good Luck.

Answer 2

Okay, how about this....time is money, or so the saying goes. But we can be sure that its a great motivator.

Put a jar by the door of your house, and every time you leave late, deposit a dollar in it. Every time you arrive 10 minutes early to the actual place you are supposed to be (not just at the door), pay yourself a dollar. If a buck isn't a big enough motivation, make it a five.

I used to have a terrible habit about taking work everywhere with me, even on days off. My husband started a thing like this....I had to pay every time I mentioned work related issues on a Saturday or Sunday. I paid a quarter a mention. I broke the habit within about four weeks. When I had a weekend without any mention of work, he gave the whole jar back, and it had enough to buy groceries in it! I realized how much time I wasted of our free time by worrying about work, and it hit me.

Do this for a minimum of three months. Then restart it if you fall behind again. By being on time for work, you will end up making far more in your career than the few dollars it will "cost you" in the short run.

Or, consider that maybe you aren't a morning person, and find a different shift to work. Both my husband and I are more night owls, and we have schedules that allow for us to sleep our best cycle and wake up naturally, so we aren't tired all the time. He starts work at 11, and I work from home so I work when I feel best, which is often in the middle of the night. Plus people on evening shifts make more than regular daytime folk.

Answer 3

First, I think you need to determine why you are chronically late.

For me, I have "just-one-more-thing-itis." I think I can finish just one more thing before I scoot out the door, and I wind up being late.

Second, prepare early. Get all the things you will need for the appointment ready and by the door (or in a designated space) at least two hours ahead of time -- the night before is perfect. Clothing should be decided the night before. Breakfast should be decided, too, and you can do prep work if you are just having cereal by pouring it out and covering it with plastic wrap. (But I think it's better just to make time for cereal.)

Third, if you are like me, don't let the "just one more thing" distract you.

Fourth, make a conscious effort to get there five minutes early. I know it seems like a waste of time to get someplace early and hang out, but actually, chatting with the people there often gives you useful information, and there's no time to chat once your appointment officially starts. Bring a book or some stationery to jot a short letter if you are *really* worried about being "unproductive" for five minutes.

If these things don't work, another thing you can do is time yourself. You may think it only takes five minutes to do your hair, but it takes 6 and a half most days. Or three minutes to empty the dishwasher, but it takes five. These little minutes add up to late, late, late. If you have an accurate sense of how much time it takes to do things, you can plan better.

Oh, and if you have an important appointment in a new place, always take time the day before (or weekend before) to find it. Drive there, go up the stairs, peek in. You will feel much more confident when you have to find it for real. And you will know how much time it takes to get there.

Hope that helps! I'm not on time all the time, but when it's really important, now I can be.

Answer 4

if waking up is your problem, i guess you have to start getting up at the instant the alarm clock rings. i know, it might sound as no-news, but it becomes a habit by time, stop snoozing, stop putting the alarm clock half an hour earlier so you have time to snooze.

If on the other hand it takes you time to prepare (and waking up is your problem) there's something you need to realise. You hold the belief that you are 'chronically late' so your actions subconciously take longer to complete - in that way you (subconciously again) prove yourself right and you don't have to change your beliefs. your subconcious feels really content if it your self is proved right, even you feel unhappy for showing up late. so in that case you have to change your belief that you are a 'chronically late' person. your subconcious will be hurt and try to fight back in many ways (morning coffee spills you have to clean up, not finding your keys to leave the house, not remember where you left your bag or your left shoe, cereals stains in your business suit, but you have to keep on fighting!

Answer 5

I have the same problem then I realize that everyone is different. Some people are morning person other will do best at night. If it doesn't hurt your job then why change. My boss realize although I might be the last to come to work, I am also the last to leave so everything is fine cause I get the job done.

Answer 6

Watch the clock , worry about being on time, leave 15 mins earlier for everything, Is all I do and I am always on time.

Answer 7

It's all about simply being responsible... you know what time you have to be somewhere. You know how long it takes you to get ready, and you know how long it takes you to get from your house to wherever you have to be. There's no training involved, you just do it.

Answer 8

Be more active, you will sleep better and lighter