It often happens that we put more tasks on our schedule than we can do in a single day. But this cannot and should not be an excuse for constant lateness. If messages like "I'm five minutes late!" regularly sent from under your fingers, then see what you can do to finally be able to be punctual.
Why are you late?
Pinpoint what you're actually missing. You may have “One More Task Syndrome”: you feel the need to be productive all the time, so as a result you add more tasks to your schedule. Many people feel repulsed when they have to leave the house and suddenly feel the need to straighten the furniture, open the mail, etc. If you catch yourself doing this, it's best to pinch yourself and say to yourself: "That can wait!"
How to overcome procrastination?
Changing your habit from being chronically late to being punctual is a big deal. It is important to start with tasks that cannot be postponed or missed. First, get used to not pressing snooze on the alarm clock, not even once. If you can't commit to small inconveniences like this, you're not ready to deal with chronic tardiness. But before you really start, try this: get somewhere on time. Just once. Consider how that makes you feel. Feeling relieved or anxious? Are you proud of yourself or bored? From here you can continue to build on accuracy.
Step One: Relearn Time Telling.
Every day for two weeks, write down how long you think it will take for each task. You can also use this method when showering, getting dressed, eating breakfast, driving to work, washing dishes, etc. and write the actual time you spent next to it. Many people have unrealistic ideas of the time spent on a task in their heads. Just because once, five years ago, they used to spend ten minutes from home to work, it does not mean that this is the real time to work.
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Step Two: Never plan to get somewhere on time.
Latecomers always aim to arrive exactly to the minute and leave no room for various coincidences. If you have to be at work at 9:00 and you estimate that it will take you exactly ten minutes to arrive, you will leave home at 8:50. If you miss the green light at the traffic light or forget something at home, it is impossible to arrive on time. Don't leave it to chance. Plan to be everywhere fifteen minutes early.
Step Three: The wait is welcome.
If the thought of being at your destination early makes you anxious, then plan an activity that will keep you busy in the meantime. Bring a magazine, call a friend, or go through your schedule. The activities should be specific and persuasive, as they should motivate you to reach your destination early for their sake.
If you have a friend or family member who loves to be late, remember that it's not about you. Tricking someone by saying that an event starts half an hour earlier doesn't work: eventually you'll be exposed. And they won't feel good about it. Instead, have an honest conversation with them and set some guidelines together. Try this: every time your friend is fifteen minutes late, they pay for dessert. If you won't achieve accuracy, you'll at least get a treat.
Adapted and adapted from:
refinery29.com
