Feeling the pinch & stress of lateness? Ready to change it? Here’s how
Being chronically late can be stressful, frustrating, and even embarrassing. If you’re always running behind schedule, you know what it feels like to scramble to get out the door, only to arrive late and feel disorganized.
But it doesn’t have to be this way! With a few simple tweaks to your routine, you can become more punctual and enjoy a more relaxed, stress-free life.
Big doors swing on little hinges. ~ W. Clement Stone
Or as I like to say it – small hinges move big doors.
I’m not suggesting wild and crazy changes. All you need is a decision and a few tactics in your back pocket.
Here are some tips from me to help you break the cycle of being chronically late:
1. Build in buffer time
The biggest reason people run late is that they underestimate how long things will take.
To avoid this trap, build in extra time for everything you do.
Give yourself a cushion of at least 15 minutes for each task, whether it’s getting dressed, making breakfast, or commuting to work.
- A good guideline is to take the time you think it will take and times it by 1.5. (e.g. 30 minutes become 45 minutes).
I originally heard about the concept of Buffer time in the book Essentialism by Greg McKeown.
In it talks about buffer time as a crucial element of time management and productivity. He credits the idea of buffer time to Dr. Adam Grant, a psychologist, and professor at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. I personally am a big Adam Grant fan.
In the book, McKeown explains how building in buffer time can help individuals avoid over-commitment, reduce stress, and increase their ability to focus on the most essential tasks. Simply by applying the 1.5x buffer.
In my coaching career, I’ve introduced many clients to this concept. I’ve seen positive results over and over again.
- Including a client that always felt guilty leaving work (including for medical appointments, so would wait until the last possible moment to leave work – then often would arrive at the medical appointment late and feel guilty there.
- Building in buffer time helped her change her thought of what was the appropriate time to leave. Now she shows up at medical appointments early, and either sits and relaxes or works on her phone in those free few minutes.
I’ve seen the exact opposite work too. A client that was always late to work was able to add buffer time in to show up consistently in time for his job.
Just imagine the feeling that you would get just by not rushing into places at the 11th hour.
2. Don’t try to cram too many activities in before leaving
If you’re always rushing out the door, you’re setting yourself up for failure. Instead of trying to fit everything into your morning routine, spread your activities out over the course of the day. Take breaks throughout the day to rest, recharge, and refocus.
- A client of mine used to cram her Sunday morning full of tasks that she decided had to be done before leaving for Church. She didn’t cut herself slack on days she wasn’t feeling well, or days she woke up late. She simply had to get her list of 10-12 things done before she left.
- Which resulted in a frazzled morning and even resentment of people or things that got in her way including resentment towards the Church she felt rushed to get to.
To prioritize your tasks, think of them as either glass balls or rubber balls.
- Glass ball activities are precious, and if you don’t do them, (drop them) they might shatter and cause harm.
- Rubber ball activities are less important, and if you don’t do them,(drop them or put them off for later) they’ll bounce back.
Using the Pareto Principle, identify the 20% of tasks that are glass balls then prioritize them.
This leaves room for challenging yourself:
- Does this task need to be done right now?
- Can it be done later?
- Do I have to do it at all? (Can I skip this week?)
- What’s the cost if I insist on doing it right now rather than when I get back?
- What’s the cost of not doing it now?
You've got this - think of your true glass balls vs. your rubber balls
3. The Kaizen principle of preparing the night before
One of the best ways to start your day off on the right foot is to prepare for it the night before.
Decide what you’re going to wear, make your lunch, or pack your bag. This way, you’ll be able to start your day with a clear head and a sense of purpose.
An example of applying the Kaizen rule is putting your bookbag or wallet on by the shoes you know you’ll wear tomorrow so that you don’t forget them.
The way I think of this is to ask myself what will tomorrow's me will be thankful for, and what gift can I give tomorrow’s me today.
4. Use technology to your advantage
There are plenty of apps and tools that can help you stay on track and be more efficient. Set reminders, use a to-do list app, and take advantage of calendar and scheduling tools to keep yourself organized.
Some of my favourites are ToDoist, Remember The Milk and Google Calendar.
There are many more - have fun finding the app that matches you.
5. Focus on the process, not the outcome
Finally, try to focus on the process of getting out the door in time, rather than the outcome of all the things accomplished.
If you’re always in a rush to get somewhere, you’ll never feel like you have enough time.
Instead, try to enjoy the journey and appreciate the moments and small wins along the way.
Not sure how to celebrate yourself? Check out this article on my Amibelle Blog 11 Ways You’ll Love To Celebrate Your Awesome Small Wins
You can do this! You have it in you to make the changes & feel the benefits now
Being chronically late is a common issue, but it’s also one that can be fixed. You can stop the story of others always knowing you as the late one.
With these tips above, you can start to break the cycle of running behind schedule and enjoy a more relaxed, punctual life.
Remember, it's not about being perfect, but about making small changes that add up to big results.
Your Turn – please share your thoughts
I’d love to hear from you. Do any of these steps sound doable to you? What’s one small action you can put into practice today?
~ Cathy
…………………………………………………………………………..………..
Feature photo by Andrea Piacquadio from Pexels
Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, meaning that I earn a small commission if you make a purchase through my links, a no extra cost to you.
Curious about Coaching?
If you are trying to create change in your life and are curious about if our working together could help, I’m happy to chat about it. Contact me now by clicking on the link below.
