Better late than never

I have a few friends who are always late. I'm sure you do too.

As someone who is rarely (if ever) late, this really pisses me off. I'm the Dad who drags their family to the airport hours ahead of schedule and then ensures we are all very, very bored by the time the (delayed) flight eventually takes off.

And I wouldn't have it any other way.

The way I look at it, people who are late think they're more important than you.

Their time is more valuable than yours.

YOU can sit around and wait for them to turn up. But THEY have more important things to do.

Sometimes, things do happen. We’ve all been there. You’re in bed, dreaming about riding unicorns or leading a band of rebel scum against an evil empire, and suddenly, your alarm goes off. You snooze it once, twice, and before you know it, you’re running out the door, shirt half-buttoned, coffee sloshing everywhere, trying to remember if you fed the dog or not.

But if this happens all the time. If this sounds like your typical Tuesday, then something is wrong. Your priorities are out of wack.

So let’s talk about the chronic ailment plaguing so many of us you: lateness.

Why are some people perpetually late?

Are they just cooler than you?

Are they, in fact, more important than you?

Maybe they just have a fascination with making a dramatic entrance.

As it turns out, the reasons are both simpler and more fixable than you might think.

Some people have what psychologists call “time optimism.” This means they believe they can do more in a set amount of time than is realistically possible.

My son (who is 16) thinks he can wake up, shower, dress, eat breakfast, and get to school in 15 minutes. Spoiler alert: he can’t. He hasn't once achieved this. And yet, he tries to do it

every

single

weekday....

Failure after failure without any thought that maybe it's just not possible.

Then there’s the thrill-seeker who enjoys the adrenaline rush of last-minute sprints, like an action hero dodging explosions, except it’s their boss’s morning glare they’re avoiding.

And let’s not forget about the multitaskers. These ambitious souls who think they can fit in just one more thing before they leave. Maybe they decide to fold laundry, respond to a few emails, or start a new DIY project. What could possibly go wrong?

So, how do we combat these bad habits and embrace the punctual life?

Well, first, let’s get real about time. Acknowledge that some tasks just take longer than you think.

And remember, Google Maps might say it takes 15 minutes to get to work, but that doesn’t account for parking, walking from your car, or the odd squirrel parade that could cross your path at any moment.

One effective method is to adopt what I like to call “the ten-minute trick.”

Simply plan to be ten minutes early to everything. Yes, everything.

Think of it as building in a buffer for life’s little hiccoughs—traffic, misplaced keys, or an unexpected phone call from Aunt Mabel.

And if by some miracle you arrive early, you can use that time to relax, prepare, or simply enjoy a moment of peace. Imagine that!

Another tactic is to prep the night before

Lay out your clothes, pack your bag, and set your breakfast table. That way, when the morning comes, you’re not running around like a headless chicken. Instead, you’re gliding smoothly through your routine, possibly even whistling a happy tune.

Also, consider the power of deadlines. Not just any deadlines, but self-imposed, earlier-than-necessary ones.

If you need to leave by 8:00 AM, set your mental deadline for 7:50 AM. Tricking yourself into thinking you have less time can help you stay on track.

It might also be time to reassess your relationship with your alarm clock. Place it across the room so you have to physically get out of bed to turn it off.

Sure, it’s annoying, but it’s also effective. And once you’re up, resist the temptation to crawl back under the covers. Instead, start your day with purpose.

Let’s talk about digital distractions

How often have you found yourself sucked into the black hole of social media when you should be getting ready? Limit screen time in the mornings. Consider a rule: no phone or computer until you’re fully dressed and ready to go.

For the chronic snoozer, try a gradual wake-up routine. Apps like Sleep Cycle gently wake you up during your lightest sleep phase, making mornings less jarring. And remember, the snooze button is not your friend. It’s a sneaky little enabler that keeps you trapped in a cycle of drowsiness.

For the record, I never snooze an alarm. Not even at 4.30am.

Flexibility is key

Now, if you’re a parent or someone with a particularly unpredictable morning routine, flexibility is key.

Prepare as much as you can the night before, and build in extra time for the unexpected. Kids will have meltdowns, pets will escape, and toast will burn. Accepting these variables and planning for them can save a lot of stress.

And finally, don’t be too hard on yourself. Changing a habit takes time and patience. Celebrate small victories, like getting out the door five minutes earlier than usual. Over time, these small changes will add up, and you’ll find yourself becoming that punctual person others can rely on.

So, those of you reading this who are the procrastinators and last-minute dashers (you know who you are!). I KNOW that it's possible for you to change. The psychology of being late is not genetic. It's not hard-wired. And it's not irreversible.

So please try and turn over a new leaf, one that starts promptly at the agreed time.

Your friends, family, and coworkers will thank you. And who knows? You might even start to enjoy the peace and calm that comes with being on time.

Stay punctual.

Jon "Always Early" Kaye

P.S. If you're interested in knowing more about the psychology of habit change and performing to your peak potential, then I know a thing or two about that and I've written a "mini-book" about it. Check it out here:

• The Peak Performance System