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20 tips against tardiness


Photo: Ian Hooton / Science Photo Library / Corbis

Late again?

Are you always late? All just a matter of discipline! We'll give you 20 tips to help you control your tardiness.

It's already close - and actually you wanted to be there on time anyway ... "A few minutes late are not the end of the world, " think and soothe your guilty conscience. You calmly make your way to your appointment and, in the meantime, come up with a good excuse for being unpunctual .

This scenario is familiar? Then you have already tapped into the unpunctuality trap. Because: Despite all good intentions - something always comes in between ... Sometimes it's the weather, sometimes a traffic jam on the highway or an unexpected, particularly important call, which robs you of the time you have so little.

Tardiness is an annoying habit. It annoys not only you, but also the waiting people. It also costs a lot of stress, nerves and in the long run good excuses. Especially in professional life, punctuality can have serious consequences and even be a cause for cancellation.

It is very easy to be punctual. It is not art, but rather a question of self-discipline.

We'll give you 20 tips to help you get your time management under control!

1. Create schedule

Make a good schedule. Very important: do not overstrain yourself! Make the plan as realistic as possible, so that you can actually do everything you want to do.

2. Start early

Consider the day before what's coming up for you the next day. Are there things you can do today to get you started tomorrow faster? Then do these things! For example, find the clothes you want to wear tomorrow. This saves you a lot of time in front of your wardrobe.

3. Schedule time buffer

Schedule enough time buffers for unpredictable events. Ideally, twice the time it takes to get to the destination. With enough time buffers you are always on the safe side.

4. Prepare well

Always be well prepared. Find out about the departure times of public transport that you use. Calculate everything you need to do before the appointment - especially the way there.

5. Think pessimistically

Do not just assume that everything will go smoothly on your way to the appointment. Often the travel time takes longer than expected. Be prepared and calculate extra minutes depending on the distance.

(Read more: Always too late, then you're probably an optimist!)

6. Buy watches

Put on a wristwatch and set up as many watches as possible in your apartment. Then do not lose sight of the time.

7. Avoid interim actions

Think of the idea of ​​"having to do something quick" before you leave. Do not answer calls or call anyone. Just phone calls rob you more time than you think.

8. Think realistically

If you know from the beginning that an appointment might be short over time, do not accept it or postpone it by a few hours.

9. Use small helpers

Imagine thinking supports. For the memory function of a mobile phone is very good.

10. Lead diary

Always keep your appointment planner up to date. A timetable in written form ensures that you keep an eye on all appointments.

11. Outsmart the head

Keep your appointments in mind 10-15 minutes sooner.

12. Set priorities

Be aware of which appointments are your highest priority and make them a priority. Do not worry too much at once.

13. Stick to goals

Keep your goals in mind, because knowing why you are doing something motivates you and gives you more energy to overcome big hurdles.

14. Do not plan in the meantime

Your appointment ends earlier than planned? In such moments you have to be disciplined! Just do not start anything else just because you have the impression that it suits you in time. They will misjudge the duration and come to the next appointment too late.

15. Find the cause

Think carefully about the reason for your tardiness. Because only when you know the real reason, you can focus on this problem and fix it.

16. Punish superior

Start punishing yourself for being unpunctual. The more delay minutes, the sharper the punishment: you look every Monday your favorite series, but have in the morning at work by 10 minutes late? Then turn on the series only 10 minutes after the start.

17. Complete bets

Complete bets. Consequence: The person who is late has to do something specific (eg pay for drinks). However, this method is only suitable for the circle of friends.

18. Turning at the time

Introducing the watch is a very popular trick. It is important that the clock is presented only by a few minutes. If it is more than 10 minutes, the shot goes backwards. Because that gives the impression that you still have enough time left in reserve, and rumbling is inevitable!

19. Create time balance

Has a certain untimely time frame settled in you? Then there is only one way to break out of this vicious circle: Hang the time that you are always late to just front. You always arrive 15 minutes late? Next time, go out of the house 15 minutes later!

20. Set time limit

Are you always late in the morning in the office? Divide the morning hours into sections and give each section a specific time limit: By a certain point you have to finish the bath, to another with breakfast, and and and ...

A beautiful wristwatch can never hurt ...

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