29 out of 34 people (85%) think this is worth doing.
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How I did it: Practice, and being in different situations--in one place I lived, lateness was so common and unavoidable because of transportation lousiness that I just became less concerned about it, after my initial few weeks of beating myself up over it. Then later, I was in a situation where I actually didn't need to be anywhere on time (working from home)--meaning I lost the maelstrom of bad feelings associated with knowing I was probably going to be late for something important.
The older you get, the more stress there is, the more burned-out you become, the more likely you are to just say "it doesn't matter" and somehow things begin to fall into place--because leaving on time is actually the easier thing to do for your mental health (counter-intuitive as it may seem if you're in this situation). The key is to rid your life of the "junk" items (emotional and physical junk) that take up so much mental energy.
Lessons & tips: You are worth not being stressed all day, every day, because of something looming up later in the evening. Being late is your mind telling you one of two things: either that you're not good enough somehow or that you are forcing yourself to do things (maybe because of social pressures) that you really should say no to. In the first case, you don't feel at peace with yourself unless you get a list of things as long as your arm done before you leave home--therefore you're running around and you leave too late, annoyed, and get there late, which only reinforces feelings of stress and inadequacy. In the second case, practice saying "no" to those things that you really can't afford to agree to for your peace of mind. Like a good doctor, stop taking new patients!
Resources: Set an alarm to go off one hour before you have to leave. You can do this on your computer, for example, at sites like http://www.kukuklok.com/ , or I also like the "motiwake" site (inspirational alarm). Yes, a whole one hour ahead is the time to start getting everything ready and by the door. Maybe it takes 2 mins but with an alarm like that going, then you can sit down and know you won't be late out of absent-mindedness or last minute loss of your keys. Remember it's all about reducing stress.
Yesterday I traveled to Crestview (about an hour away) to meet my parents for Father’s Day dinner. We agreed to meet at 5:30, & I showed up at 5:20 & reserved the table! They got there at 5:45, which was fine because I brought some work things to complete while I was waiting. We were all impressed with my being early!
*Mama Bear* missing you guys...
For a job interview, no less!
Bus driver told me to get off at the wrong place, and address was misspelled.
Either way, that should teach me to not always aim to be places at the last minute. How stupid can you be to calculate arriving somewhere 10 minutes before time when you’ve never been there?
Pffff….
for the record, I called, and they apologised for misspelling the address, so I don’t think (crossing fingers) that it had a negative influence…
Mangusx is working on becoming a police constable
wow, I got a long history with this issue … not so much for work though.
Personal incident happened in October 08 and this week Jan 09.
I’m going to keep track and seriously work on this.
Punctuality is an important attribute to have.
I am 58 years old and have been late probably 98% of the time, much to the dismay of my patient family and friends. I am sick of being chronically late and apologizing to everyone all the time as a result of it. It’s humiliating; it’s embarrassing—and I don’t know why I do it! I attempt to be on time EVERY TIME I have some place to go, but I still end up being late! I’ll really be interested in finding others with this problem, and how they have overcome it.
jannab setting new priorities :O
Still I cant be on time for anything! Wish me luck. I am starting to accomplish this goal going to bed earlier and waking up earlier so I have more energy and to make the day longer.
I’m late to everything all the time. I have to stop. It’s bad. I was two-five minutes on meeting my friend for a run. Luckily he was late this time too. I’m not letting myself go on this one anymore. I have an interview tomorrow. I’m going to bed early and get up early and let noone stop me in getting the job!!
ovx is hongry
the trend seems to be that if it’s not a place i’m truly enthusiastic about being, i’m much more likely to arrive late.
sleep patterns can have something to do with this, i suspect, but no matter how much sleep i get, i often seem to find a way to be late.
also, when the good reasons for being on-time are fresh in my mind, and i feel refreshed and healthy, i know there’s no stopping me, and it’s no chore to be early…
seems like everything in private has to be in order before i feel psyched to meet the public.
emily b #1 i am in love with the boy. its that simple.
how i accomplished this but it was totally worth it because i was able to have the office to myself to get somethings done before the boys got there.
Mother Extroidinaire! wants to Learn Spanish
kayak
go to more concerts
Start an NGO, which doesn't just take your money and throw it condescendingly at people, but actually does some good.
see the aurora borealis
See HIM again
stay healthy
Take more pictures
learn to love myself
Fall in love
drink more water
ain88 wants to Buy a House
build a workshop
Learn how to say 'Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch'
Let go of the past
make the guy i love love me back
Eat better
Make a CD of all HAPPY SONGS!
Travel route 66
get married
find a house
jsherry wants to watch all of Spike Lee's films
run more
own a house
buy a new car
