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Time Management:
Chronic Tardiness - Do You Have a Problem with Time Management Skills?
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 time management skills and 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 to improve your time management skills and realize the benefits - a life with less stress, increased productivity, no speeding tickets, and greater job security.
Donna Lindley: http://www.OrganizedOfficeSolutions.com/
Category: Time Management Skills
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Time Management:
Chronic Tardiness - Do You Have a Problem with Time Management Skills? |
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