Buzz
Hello Mytour, I’m someone who struggles with constant lateness. No matter where I’m headed, whether it’s a casual hangout with friends or a scheduled event, I always end up arriving 10 to 15 minutes behind schedule—and it’s beginning to frustrate those around me. Do you have any tips to help me stay focused and improve my punctuality?
Best regards, Late Larry
Photo by Jeff Lueders.
Dear Larry,
I completely empathize with your friends' frustration (we all know someone who’s perpetually late), but it’s great that you’re committed to improving. Fortunately, there are numerous small strategies you can use to help yourself leave on time. Here are some of our top recommendations.
Identify the Root Cause of Your Lateness
There are countless reasons why you might be running late all the time. Maybe you frequently misjudge traffic conditions, or perhaps you’re easily distracted and end up scrambling out the door 10 minutes behind schedule. Pinpointing the cause of your chronic tardiness can help you tailor solutions. For instance, if traffic is the issue, Google Maps offers a handy traffic feature that highlights congested areas and suggests alternative routes. If you’re often late because you get lost, consider leaving earlier and familiarizing yourself with the area. However, if distractions are the main problem, you’ll need to explore deeper strategies to improve your punctuality.
Stay Organized with Reminders and Alarms
One of the easiest ways to avoid distractions is to leverage your calendar, smartphone, or other devices to alert you when it’s time to leave. Even a basic alarm on your phone can prevent you from losing track of time and ensure you head out promptly. For iOS users, previously mentioned GoTime is an excellent tool for staying on schedule. It automatically syncs with your calendar, calculates travel time based on your current location, and notifies you when it’s time to leave. Alternatively, you can achieve similar results with any alarm app by pre-checking driving directions to your destination.
Make It a Habit to Plan for Early Arrival
While it might sound like a no-brainer, if you’re always 15 minutes late, try leaving 15 minutes earlier. This pairs well with the alarm tip mentioned earlier—instead of watching the clock, rely on your alarm. Set it 15 minutes ahead, and even if it takes you 10 minutes just to put on your shoes, you’ll still be on time. And if you somehow end up being early, there are plenty of ways to fill that extra time. You likely have errands to run, like filling up gas, visiting the bank, or picking up toothpaste from CVS. Alternatively, explore a nearby shopping center. Visit the closest Best Buy to test out tablets or browse the bookstore next door. You could also bring a book or play a game on your phone to pass the time. Photo by Lauren Hammond.
Ask Your Friends for Support
If none of these strategies seem to work, consider asking your friends to help keep you accountable. They’re probably already teasing you about your tardiness, but if you encourage them to take it a step further and stop responding until you arrive, it might push you to move faster. Another idea is to create a system where you pay for a friend’s dinner every time you’re late. After a couple of such incidents, you’ll likely find yourself arriving on time.
Best regards, Mytour
P.S. While these are some of our top suggestions, we’d love to hear your own strategies—feel free to share them with us in the comments below.
