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It’s usually a good sign when we’re enjoying a full life, and yes, that also pertains to those days when we’re running around from place to place. If you have trouble with practicing punctuality, there's got good news: No need to chalk tardiness up to personality traits. With these seven habits of extremely punctual people, arriving on time is a habit anyone can learn.
1. WAKE UP AFTER THE FIRST ALARM
While pressing snooze is way more appealing, try and get out of bed after your first alarm. Put your alarm clock or phone on the other end of the room, so that when it goes off, you can’t just reach over and press silence. Moving your body will help wake you up, and by getting your blood flowing a bit, you’re less likely to experience those mornings when you suddenly wake up and realize you’re running late.
2. SET ENOUGH TIME ASIDE FOR DELAYS
Set aside some extra time in your commute for delays, such as forgetting your keys or running into traffic. Give yourself a nice buffer of 10-15 minutes, so that if you’re running late, you could still get to your destination on time and you’ll feel more at ease.
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3. PLAN A SCHEDULE AND STICK TO IT
Create a schedule for when you’ll work on certain tasks and stick to it as much as possible. Even if you don’t finish something completely, move on and come back to it later during your downtime. With practice, you’ll know exactly how much time it will take you to finish your list items, which will free up even more of your time.
4. EMBRACE DOWNTIME
While you’re waiting for the train or to see the doctor, read a book or check your emails. When you become comfortable with downtime, the idea of arriving early feels like an opportunity to catch up on your reading, or cross something else off your list.
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5. CREATE DAILY RITUALS
Prepare your breakfast the night before. Lay out your clothes for work the next day. Get into the habit of relaxing before bed. While these preparations may seem small, they’ll make a big difference in terms of reducing anxiety and ensuring you’re sticking to your plan.
6. KNOW WHEN YOU’RE MOST PRODUCTIVE
Are you more energized and productive in the mornings? Do your best ideas come right after you’ve eaten breakfast and are sipping your coffee? Schedule your most difficult tasks for the peak times in your day. You’ll maximize your time and avoid procrastination.
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7. GET ENOUGH SLEEP
Punctual people are often the most well rested. Hitting the reset button on your sleep schedule may time time, so stick with it and find a routine that works for you. Make getting your zzz’s a priority, so you’re able to get an early and productive head start!
