Is being late sabotaging your career?

Be on time. It’s a simple command, and one you’ve probably heard since you were a child. And, of course, one you’ve likely ignored before.

But, as an adult, if you’re habitually late, you run the risk of undermining your professional reputation—no matter how smart, competent, or capable you might be. If you think punctuality doesn’t matter, think again. Here are some reasons why it definitely does—along with tips for making punctuality a priority.

It Shows You Care 

Tardiness is understandable. We live in a busy world. We schedule meetings and appointments back-to-back, haphazardly fitting the rest of our lives into half-hour long time slots here and there. We’re always plugged in, constantly inundated with phone calls, emails, and texts that need to be answered “immediately.”

But, if you can be punctual despite these obstacles, you implicitly acknowledge that you value other peoples’ limited time. Getting to a meeting or appointment on time shows that it’s important to you, and something for which you’ve planned.
Being chronically late, on the other hand, sends the message that whatever you’re doing is simply more important than the task at hand—and that your time is more valuable than everyone else’s.

It Shows You’re Responsible

Your co-workers and manager want to know they can trust you to get the job done—and being punctual is an easy way to demonstrate that you can. It inspires a sense of trust and indicates you are organized, responsible, and in control of your time.
Conversely, flying down the hallway, showing up breathless to your desk, then fumbling to get started on time gives an impression of chaos and disorder—not exactly the message you want to send.
  
It Reduces Stress
You know how stressful being late can be. But constantly rushing and scrambling to catch up not only makes you feel lousy—it also makes everyone around you anxious and uncomfortable.
Making sure that you show up on time prevents all that angst in the first place (yours and theirs!). Instead of panicking about the clock, you can focus your attention on what really matters—your job.

How to Do It

OK, so punctuality is important. But that doesn’t make it a whole lot easier to achieve, if it’s not your strong suit. So, here are some quick tips to make sure that you’re always on time, no matter what’s on your plate.
1. Don’t overbook: Make sure to pad your calendar with an extra 10–15 minute “cushion” between appointments just in case something unexpected arises. Because—let’s be honest—it usually does.
2. Don’t leave the “extra” tasks to the last minute. Fill your gas tank, grab your coffee, and return all necessary phone calls well before your next scheduled appointment.

3. Set your clocks ahead by five or 10 minutes. Even though you may know you have a few extra minutes, the visualized perception of lateness will trick your body into gear.
4. Set reminders in the calendars on your phone to alert you half an hour before you are scheduled to arrive.
5. Prepare for tomorrow. Set up your materials, lay out your clothing, and review your appointments for the following day. Keep your essentials (keys, purse, wallet, sunglasses) in the same spot in your home so you’re not scrambling to find them when you should be walking out the door.