Being punctual is more than just a good habit or being organised; it shows your dedication and reflects your respect for time, yourself, and others. Punctuality is one of those soft skills that sends a strong message about your professionalism and personal discipline.
The good thing about punctuality is that you don’t need to overhaul your entire routine to become more punctual; you just need to follow a few powerful habits that can turn your lateness into a thing of the past. Let us discuss some simple ways by which you can be more punctual every day.
1. Set Reminders Ahead of Time
Setting reminders ahead of time for events that you have to attend or tasks that you have to do can help you become more punctual and stay on track. You should set a minimum of two reminders before any event or task, one 30-60 minutes before the event starts so that you can start getting ready, and one 10-15 minutes before so that you can finalize your preparation.
The benefits of using reminders are that they can help to eliminate forgetfulness and create a built-in system of accountability. You can use apps like Google Calendar or Apple Reminders to create reminders on your smartphone. There are also various platforms that offer reminders for various schedules and time tables, like the Prayers Time Table, and here is one of them.
2. Prepare for the Next Day the Night Before
Preparing for the next day the night before can help make things go more smoothly. The thing about mornings is that they are unpredictable, especially if you have children, tight deadlines, or unexpected issues. You can prepare various things the night before to prepare for the next day, such as choosing your outfit and shoes, packing your bag and briefcase, charging your phone, laptop, and other devices, and reviewing your to-do list and schedule.
Preparing for the next day the night before is a simple habit, yet it can reduce stress, decision fatigue, and overwhelm, and make it easier for you to stay on your schedule, wherever you are living, be it in Perth or London.
3. Factor in Buffer Time
Factoring in buffering time is also important to stay punctual and on track. People usually underestimate how long things take, due to which they end up late. Most of us plan for the best-case scenario and forget about traffic, last-minute interruptions, or unexpected emergencies that can cause delays. By adding buffer time in your routine, you get the flexibility to navigate unforeseen events and still stay punctual. So the next time you are formulating a schedule for yourself, make sure that you build in buffer time between tasks.
4. Track Where You Waste Time
If you are one of those individuals who are constantly late for almost everything, then it is time that you analyse how you spend your time. If you don’t know where your time is going, then you won’t be able to make an active effort to stay organised and on track. Most people lose valuable minutes of their time scrolling on social media, watching TV, or doing low-priority tasks.
You should use time-tracking tools to get a clearer picture of where you are spending your time. On smartphones, you have built-in systems that can track your screen time, and for other things, you can either use an app like Toggl to log daily tasks or the classic pen and paper to pen everything down. Once you know where your time is going, you can adjust your schedule and reclaim your time to use it more effectively.
5. Avoid Squeezing in “Just One More Thing”
Another habit that can make you late and contribute to chronic tardiness is the tendency to try to squeeze in one last task before heading out. The task may be responding to an email, folding laundry, or watching a YouTube video, but this tendency leads to that five-minute task turning into a ten or fifteen-minute one. This can make you late and prevent you from showing up on time.
Avoid this habit by setting a firm stop time before your appointments, sticking to your original plan, and resisting the urge to squeeze in just one more thing before leaving. Doing so will help save your day from unraveling.
The above article is paid content, and any information presented should be independently verified before making any decisions as a result of the content. This article does not constitute advice of any kind, nor does it represent the opinions of the website publisher.