If you’re on time, you’re late.
We’ve all heard this saying before – from a coach, professor, boss or relative. You may hate it, but it’s absolutely true…
I love punctuality. Growing up, it was expected not suggested, and because of that I’m almost NEVER late. Whether it’s to work, a gathering or even just meeting up with a friend for coffee, I always try my best to be there on time (aka early).
Being on time is sometimes easier said than done. Do you find yourself constantly rushing out the door, speeding through traffic and running to your next engagement? If you do, you’re not alone. Luckily, I have four quick tips to share that you can implement into your day-to-day life to help improve your punctuality:
Pack your bag the night before
Whether you’re packing a lunch for the workday, prepping for a day full of meetings or getting ready for a weekend getaway, make sure you think about everything you need to walk out the door the night beforehand. This will help prepare you for your most productive morning so you don’t find yourself running around like a chicken with your head cut off at the time you should be hitting the road.
Clean your home at night time
I can’t stress this enough – declutter and clean! If you take a few minutes at night to tidy up your space, you will feel less stressed or rushed in the morning. You’ll have the time and brain capacity to focus on what you have to do and where you have to be, rather than the dishes that may or may not be in your sink.
Set an alarm 15 minutes before the time you need to wake up
We’re all guilty of hitting the snooze button from time to time… eliminate the stress of “accidently sleeping in” by setting your alarm 15-30 minutes earlier – giving yourself a buffer is never a bad idea!
Give yourself 10-15 extra minutes to get where you’re going
Often times, we’re guilty of thinking that we have more time in the day than we actually do. The truth is, even if your GPS tells you that you will get to work in 22.5 minutes, there’s no way to account for the extra 2 minutes you get stuck at a stoplight, the accident on the interstate or the cyclist you can’t get around on the road. Do yourself a favor and build in an extra 10-15 minutes for your commute – you never know what will happen.
These quick tips may sound juvenile and basic, but implementing them in your day-to-day life will help put you on a path to punctuality.
After all, if you’re (just) on time, you’re late.
