Here's how to stop being late to things
Mastering the art of time management is a valuable skill. It can have a positive impact on various aspects of your life. Sometime even with the best intentions, there are certain days when you feel like you just can’t get it right and end up being late to meetings. You may have tried organizing days ahead of time or set early alarms, but these strategies don’t seem to work. The good news is that anyone can take control of their schedule with tweaks. The key is to make a shift in mindset and a few lifestyle adjustments. Here are some tips to improve your timekeeping skills.
Being late is tricky, especially when you are on a deadline. If you are the only one accountable, the impact is on you. You are more likely that not to repeat the same pattern with this approach. But the consequences of being late can be more significant when a deadline is shared with someone. While working with someone on a shared deadline might seem challenging, it is a great way to help you improve your timekeeping skills and might give you the push you need to make that change. A partner can motivate you to meet the deadline and avoid letting them down. Plus, the personal pressure could take less of a toll on you. While having a deadline partner is helpful, it emphasizes the importance of good timekeeping, as delays could be damaging to both parties.
In this hectic day and age, it is easy to forget how precious time is. However, most people also what to make the most of their time to accomplish their goals. If you have a lot to accomplish in your day, it can be easy to feel like waiting around can seem unproductive. However, you can arrive to your meetings early and still make the most of your time. The key is to be strategic and use your time wisely. Use the time you are waiting for someone or an event to start by catching up on some of the tasks you can do on the go. Maybe you could even catch up on that book you are trying to finish. It could also be a time to reset and take a mental break by meditating to add a little calmness in your day.
It is common for many people to delay their work until they absolutely have to get to it. Many tend to rely on stress to complete fast-approaching deadline. There are many reasons for why this happens. However, this approach is not sustainable and not a good way to use your time. To avoid this, set a new deadline well before the actual one. This way you can focus on meeting this earlier target well before the actual due date. This is especially helpful when the consequences of being late are severe, as an early deadline can help you feel less overwhelmed and more in control. This principle doesn’t just have to be applied to work deadlines. You can also use it in various other situations where maintaining good timekeeping is essential.
Take responsibility for others and consider volunteering to do things to take on a more responsible role. Assume responsibility for someone else's punctuality. Knowing people are relying on you can put a little more pressure, in a good way, to do better with sticking to a time you have committed to. This can give a stronger incentive to prioritize and build good timekeeping habits.
