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How to Stop Arriving Late

by Maria Gracia Updated February 4, 2024 Join our newsletter to be notified when new content is added to our website. Do you ever feel like the rabbit from Alice in Wonderland? One of the most memorable scenes portrays the frantic rabbit hysterically shouting, "I'm late, I'm late--for a very important date." You don't need to rush to arrive on time. With a bit of creative scheduling and discipline, you can slow down, de-stress, and even arrive a few minutes ahead of schedule. 1. Personal Calculations: Begin by knowing your numbers. For instance, if you have an appointment at 10:30 AM tomorrow morning, consider your time requirements: Evening: o You require 8 hours of sleep. o It takes you 30 minutes to fall asleep. Morning: o Always pad your time needed by a minimum of 30 minutes. o Allocate 90 minutes for waking up, showering, dressing, etc. o Set aside 10 minutes for walking the dog. o Account for 5 minutes to warm the car in winter. o Anticipate a maximum of 40 minutes for the trip to your appointment. Adding these up, you'll need approximately 175 minutes, or roughly 3 hours from waking up to arrival, ensuring you have enough time without rushing. Therefore, if your appointment is at 10:30 AM, aim to wake up no later than 7:30 AM, and stay focused on tasks using a timer. Also, ensure you get sufficient sleep the night before; aim to go to bed no later than 11:00 PM, or earlier if possible. 2. Limit Snooze Button Use: Place your alarm clock far away from your bed to prevent easy access to the snooze button. When you get up to turn your alarm off, stay up. Don’t go back to bed. 3. Prepare in Advance: Organize your belongings and tasks the night before. Lay out your clothes, fill your briefcase, prepare lunch if applicable, and be sure you have sufficient fuel in your vehicle. This will help reduce morning stress, allowing for a smoother start to the day. 4. Pad Your Time: Always allocate more time than you think you'll need for tasks you’re working on prior to departure. For instance, if you estimate a task will take five minutes, plan for it to take 10 to 15 minutes. If you get it done sooner, great. If you don’t, you won’t be behind in your schedule. 5. Use Alarms: Set phone or watch alarms to remind you of your departure time. When the alarm sounds, don’t delay. Leave for your destination. 6. Know Your Route: Familiarize yourself with the directions and details of your destination, whether you are driving yourself or taking public transportation. Don’t only rely on GPS. It’s not always accurate. 7. Plan Alternate Routes: Be prepared for unexpected delays by knowing alternate routes in advance, listening to traffic reports, and adjusting your plans accordingly. 8. Avoid Distractions: If your phone rings right before you’re ready to leave, unless you feel it’s related to wherever you’re going, don’t answer it. Phone calls take much longer than most people estimate they will. Screen your calls allowing your voicemail to manage them. 9. Arrive Early: Aim to arrive at your destination slightly ahead of schedule to avoid being late. It’s way better to arrive early, than late. 10. Embrace Flexibility: Understand that despite meticulous planning, unforeseen circumstances may arise. Cultivate a mindset of adaptability, allowing you to pivot smoothly when faced with unexpected delays or changes in your schedule. By maintaining a flexible attitude, you'll navigate through challenges with ease, minimizing stress and maximizing productivity. Back to Time Management Index