Some of us have a pattern of being late for appointments, social events, classes, and project deadlines. No matter how hard we try to be on time, it just doesn’t happen. We are always late. Approximately 15% to 20% of the population is afflicted with chronic tardiness. Thankfully, with some self-examination, motivation, and practice, people who suffer from this affliction can deal with it successfully and learn to improve their punctuality.
Problems with punctuality can have several different causes. The most effective strategy for dealing with punctuality issues is to work a professional psychotherapist.
Why Punctuality Matters
Punctuality is not about being on time. It’s basically about respecting your own commitments. Chronic tardiness affects not only the way others see you, but also the way in which you see yourself. It compromises your integrity.
Our culture encourages tight schedules and gives timeliness a high priority. Industrialized nations value productivity, discipline, achievement, and the coordination of activities. North Americans, the Japanese, the Swiss, and the Germans all place a high value on punctuality. To deviate from these values is to invite resistance from others.
Experts recognize that the problem of tardiness usually has no single or simple cause. Instead, it is a symptom of complex underlying issues. These often manifest themselves in other areas of the person’s life as well. Several causes of chronic lateness have been identified. Most people find that two or more of these conditions account for their consistent tardiness.
Tips to improve your punctuality:
- Monitor your tardiness
- Talk to friends and family
- Understand the experience of other people who had to wait for you
- Carry a timer to see how long it actually takes to get where you want to go
- Plan to arrive early
- Improve your self-discipline
- Stick to a set daily schedule