The Art Of Being On Time: 7 Simple Habits Of Naturally Punctual People
They make being on-time look effortless.
Tom Ramalho | Unsplash There's something quietly powerful about people who are always on time. To the chronically late folks, these naturally punctual people seem to possess some kind of mysterious superpower. But being on time isn't about getting randomly lucky; it's about habits.
These aren't complicated productivity hacks that force you into a complete life overhaul. They're simple, almost obvious habits that, once you start practicing them, become second nature and poof: you become an on-time person.
Here are 7 simple habits of naturally punctual people:
1. They know that 'on time' is a synonym for early
On time means getting your butt in the parking lot 10 minutes early. For the chronically punctual, on time is actually a synonym for early.
They've learned that arriving exactly at the scheduled start time means you're already behind because you haven't allowed any cushion time for potential delays. This mental shift turns timeliness from a target you hit or miss into a comfortable margin you can maintain.
2. They build extra time into their schedule
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Traffic, wrong directions, stopping for gas, subway train delays, airport security lines, etc., which means we always leave an extra half-hour cushion around our departure.
Punctual people understand that Murphy's Law is always lurking around the corner, waiting to derail even the best-laid plans. By accounting for these everyday mishaps before they happen, they can transform potential disasters into minor inconveniences.
3. They value other people's time — and expect the same in return
Because you know what? Being more than 15 minutes late with no notification is rude. Being more than 15 minutes late and not giving a heads-up or subsequent apology is really, really rude. Our time is just as valuable as yours.
Chronic lateness creates a strange social dynamic where politeness masks genuine frustration. Repeat offenders rarely see the invisible damage they're doing to their relationships and reputation.
4. They set alarms
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It's like turning a flat iron off before you leave your home — you can never be too sure. Punctual people know that the consequences of oversleeping can mess up an entire day.
This behavior is about taking responsibility. For us, that moment of verification before bed is a small price to pay for the peace of mind that tomorrow will start exactly as planned.
5. They always have a book with them because they're used to waiting around
The iPhone Kindle app has made this 'waiting in lobbies' dilemma a bit more practical, thankfully. Chronically punctual people have become experts at transforming awkward waiting time into productive me-time. It's not that we enjoy waiting, but we've accepted that being prepared and having something to do while we wait beats being annoyed every single time.
6. They don't understand the concept of being fashionably late
The upside to being the first person at the party: We have no problem getting drinks or the first pass at the pigs-in-a-blanket. Early bird gets the appetizers.
We'd rather make an entrance by being genuinely present and engaged than by disrupting a gathering that's already in full swing. There's something inherently respectful about arriving when you said you would.
7. They move with purpose
Slower walkers to the right, stay in your lanes, keep it moving. (I fit in well in New York City.) And as my on-time spirit animal comedian Mike Birbiglia says in one of my favorite sketches: It's so easy to be on time. You just have to be early and early, which lasts for hours, and on time, which lasts for a second, and then you're late forever.
They walk like they have somewhere to be, because they do. When you walk with purpose, you're not just respecting your own schedule, but respecting everyone else's too.
Alex Alexander is a pseudonym. The author of this article is known to YourTango but is choosing to remain anonymous.
