Chronic tardiness, or consistently being late, is a symptom of poor time management skills.  Whether you are going to an interview, a sales meeting, a doctor’s appointment, or just meeting a friend or colleague for lunch, arriving late demonstrates a lack of respect for other people’s time as well as your own, and reveals your poor time management skills.  Ultimately, it can put a strain on your job and/or your relationships. Here are some strategies that you can follow to get back on schedule:

• Write it Down – Record your appointments in your calendar and note when you need to leave.
• Plan Ahead – Get as much ready the night before as possible.  Plan your outfit, pack your lunch, gather your papers, etc.  Establish routines for your repeatable tasks.
• Get Enough Sleep – If you are one of those people who likes to hit snooze in the morning, consider going to bed earlier.
• Set an Alarm - Set an alarm to go off 5 minutes before you need to leave.
• Stick to the Plan – Stop trying to squeeze in that one last task.  Don’t hit snooze, don’t send another email, don’t make one more call…STOP!
• Arrive Early – Plan to arrive 10 minutes early.  Then, if you run into traffic or experience some other delay, there's a good chance you will still arrive on time.  If you do arrive early, take that opportunity to read a magazine article, write a note, or make a phone call.
• Track Your Time - Many people underestimate how long it will take them to complete a task.  For frequently performed tasks, track how long they actually take and compare them to your estimates.  Does your 20 minute trip to the office really take you 30 minutes?
• Change Your Mindset – Make up your mind that you will be on time from now on.
• Empathize - Imagine how the people who are waiting for you must feel.  Chronic tardiness can negatively affect relationships with family, friends and colleagues.

Like many other habits, punctuality is a habit that can be learned by repetition. Follow the steps above and realize the benefits – a life with less stress, increased productivity, no speeding tickets, and greater job security.