Being on time, every time.
We all have been guilty of reaching out late for meetings, events, conferences, and appointments. Here is my 9-step action plan for always being on time.
1. First, acknowledge that you have a problem with being late. Without this internal acceptance, no solution can ever be found.
2. We always underestimate the time required for a task. There are too many variables in even the simplest of activities. Moreover, random things happen frequently. So, we need to have a reasonable buffer in our estimate.
3. Set a rule for yourself to adhere to. Mine is simple - five minutes before a meeting is on time, on time is late, and five minutes after the time is unacceptable. Give no excuses for missing your benchmark.
4. Unless you have really made being on time a habit, start wearing a watch. People who wear watches are often punctual. I am referring to a wristwatch, not the one on your mobile phone.
5. If you have often been late, set small goals. It's energizing to achieve goals, and smaller wins are a great stimulant.
6. Reward yourself for every small win.
7. Schedule 70% of your day, including daily activities, work, sleep, exercise, etc. Make sure to have open spaces in your calendar. These buffers are essential to avoid feeling burned out. It also leaves room to accommodate things that crop up out of the blue.
8. Learn to negotiate with people tasks that can be swapped for other critical activities. So, you don't try and accommodate everything. You make conscious choices. The default answer to every non-essential stuff should be NO.
9. Set up negative incentives for missing time. So, for example, skip the coffee if you do not arrive at the meeting on time.
Please share your recipe for being on time.
Subodh
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