How to be on time for everything
If you are the kind of person who is never late, you are probably aware of how much other people are late, and it is likely that is bothers you. However, chances are you are that person who is always late, especially if you have kids. So, if you have ever struggled with being on time, read on, the following is a great way to be on time for everything:
1. Decide now to be on time. You hate when you are the host of something and all of your guests are late, so think about that and decide now to not be that person. Do not go late to meeting, church, work, or even the casual family party.
2. Set your clocks ahead. A great way to remind yourself of the time is to have your clock set 10 minutes fast. This will help you to recognize that it is time to go. If you need to be somewhere by 5 and it takes 10 minutes to get there, if your clock reports after 5 you know you will be late. So, get ahead of the game with your clocks.
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3. Plan your route, etc. Part of being on time is making a plan for how you will be on time. So, think about the things you have, what time you have to be there, what time you will need to leave by to get there on time, how long it takes to eat, shower, dress, do your hair, grab the kids things, your brief case, or whatever it is that you need to take with you. Then add it all up and give yourself a buffer. That way you plan to be on time.
4. Now plan for the accidental and incidental. If you plan for things like the baby pooping through their outfit, or the juice spill on the wall, or the keys being lost, then you never are late because there was an accident or incident. Yes, they make great excuses, but if you want to be on time for everything, you have to plan for everything, even a 3 car pile up on the road.
5. Once you make your plan, you have to actually stick with it. If you need to be up by 7 to get out the door on time, make sure you are up by 7.
6. Do what you can in advance. If you have to be to a birthday party at 5 and you are trying to fit in picking up kids from soccer, ballet, and school, and you need to have a gift and a potluck item to share, then decide what you can do prior to the time you are rushing to get to the party. You obviously can't pick up the kids early, but you can make your potluck menu item the day before and have it ready to go. Have the gift picked up, wrapped, and in the car so you are not scrambling to find tissue paper, and you can let your children know where to be so picking them up in fast and easy.
7. The most important and critical part of being on time for everything is not trying to squeeze in one more thing. We all are guilty of doing this from time to time. I will just change the load of laundry before I run out. I will just watch one more play in the game before I shut off the television and leave. I will get the floor swept, grab the trash to take to the can, or make that "quick" phone call. If it is not part of your plan to be on time, do not do it. Or, if you have to do it, it will need to replace something on your plan. You only have so much time, so quit trying to squeeze one more thing in, time does not expand.
