Punctuality

To be punctual means more than just being on-time, it is an action that imparts trust and respect.  It shows the individual or individuals that you value their time.  It is being considerate to others.  We all know how we feel when someone shows up to the party on-time and we also know how we feel when someone is late.  When you are late you are viewed as disorganized untrustworthy and inconsiderate.  There are times when being late is unavoidable but if you are categorically always late then there is a problem.  This problem needs to be addressed.  You need to be honest with yourself and take the necessary actions to correct it.  Making excuses is not the answer.  Here are some steps that can help you with being on-time.

Step 1.  Be realistic about the amount of time you need.   Give yourself 10 minutes for every task that needs to be completed and then add an additional 10 to it.  Let's say you need to be at a lunch date for 12:00, you need a shower, get dressed, do your hair, makeup, empty dishwasher, and drive to the location 15 minutes away.
               a. drive : 15 min
               b. shower:10 min
               c. makeup: 10 min
              d. hair:15 min
              e. dress: 15 min (because you haven't picked your clothes out the night before)
              f. dishwasher : 10 min.
Total time need including extra 10 min is 1:25 min. so you need to start getting ready by 10:35 am. to be on time to your destination.   Do this time chart a couple of times and you will always know how much time it takes you to do all the tasks you need to complete before heading out the door.  End result...you will always be on time.

Step 2. Commit to being 15 minutes early to everything for at least one month.  Bring a book to read for the 15 minutes you are there possibly waiting.  They say after doing a task for at least one month it will become a habit but if you are always late you might need to commit to being early for 3-6 months.

Step 3.   Create a mental time line in your head.  Tell yourself 10 minute shower, 10 minutes to do my hair, 10 minutes for makeup and watch the clock.  Also repeat constantly in your head what time you want to head out the door.  If others are leaving with you, give them time checks.  "It is 11:30, departure is in 10 min.  I like to give the 5 minute warning.  "You have 5 minutes and we have to leave."  It is amazing how quickly people can hustle when they know they only have 5 minutes.

Step 4.  Pick your clothes out the night before.  Keep up on your laundry so you aren't scrambling to find a clean outfit.

Step 5. Be organized.  Always put your keys, cell phone, briefcase ect., in the same place everyday so when you go to look for it, it is right where it is suppose to be.

Step 6.  Set all of your clock to the same time.

Step 7.  If getting up is difficult make sure you go to be earlier so when the alarm goes off you are rested and ready to start the day.

Step 8.  Try and do as much as possible the night before.  Pack the car, make lunch, pick clothes out, go to the bank, get gas etc.

Steps to helping your kids be on-time.

1. Have them pick out their school clothes the night before.
2. Pack their backpacks the night before.
3. Get them up early enough so they can have plenty of time to eat, get dress and relax before school.
4. Everyday make sure they are ready for the bus 10 minutes before the bus is scheduled to arrive.
5. No t.v until they are completely ready.  That includes breakfast, teeth brushed, bed made.
6. Announce time check.  "It is 8:00 am. you have 10 minutes to be out to the bus."  Continue with time announcements until they are out the door.
7. Have them put their things away in the same place everyday after school so when they need to retrieve them in the morning they are where they are suppose to be.
8.  Reward them for be done early by them letting do something they enjoy before they have to leave for the bus i.e. Webkinz, t.v., etc.
9. Reinforce this behavior by making sure they recognize how it makes them feel when they are able to relax and not rush before school.  We all feel a little less frazzled when we don't have to rush.


If you are 5 minutes early, you are on-time,  if you are on-time you are late, if you are late....well be prepared to explain yourself.

"Punctuality is the politeness of kings." 

Louis XVIII King of France