by Nick Somoski

Created on: July 14, 2010   Last Updated: July 17, 2010

Being late is a habit some people just can't seem to break. It can start early in life with being late for school and continue as a never-ending problem as you find yourself constantly late for work. A habit like this can be detrimental to your personal and professional life, but fortunately, it isn't a lost cause. There are numerous tips you can take to ensure that lateness doesn't put a damper on your life.

If you want to make it a habit of being on time, then just be smart about it. Here are some suggestions for breaking your habit of being chronically late.

1. Give yourself extra time to get ready. While many people blame their lateness on being early, you have to be early if you want to be ready to leave on time. Assume that whatever you must do to get ready will take twice as long as it actually will. Set your alarm clock at least a half hour earlier than normal, or schedule events a half hour earlier than they actually begin. There is nothing wrong with being early, especially if it means you won't be late.

2. Be prepared. Most people are late because they don't correctly estimate the amount of time they'll need to get ready. If you constantly find yourself scrambling in the mornings before work or in the time before leaving for an event, prepare earlier in the day or the day before. Set out your clothes the night before, and get all your belongings gathered and ready to take. If you need directions to a location, print them off in advance. This can save you a lot of time right before you need to leave.

3. Prioritize. Realize that you can't do everything at once. If you have a million things to do in one day, trying to do them all is simply unrealistic. Leave yourself extra room in the day if you do happen to start falling behind. Place higher importance in some things over others. Don't try to bite off more than you can chew, because obviously you'll get entangled in a full plate, and more time will be wasted.

4. Don't fool yourself when it comes to looking for extra time. Saying that you'll be on time because you'll make all the lights is like playing mind games with yourself. You can't depend on something like that to get you there on time. Just be honest with yourself. Admit that you're late, and try to fix the problem.

5. Stay focused. Getting side tracked is what will waste the most time. Make it your goal to get out of the house as early as possible. If you simply focus on getting to wherever you need to be, ignoring any side issue that may come up, then you won't be late. Often, the temptation of cramming in "just one more task" is what gets people. You have to resist the urge to be Superman and just walk out the door.

6. Go to bed early. Sometimes the problem could stem from not getting enough sleep. If you go to bed early and get a good night's rest, then you'll be up bright and early the next morning, ready to go to work. Staying up all night, or going to bed anytime past midnight is just setting yourself up for failure. Find a schedule that works for you and stick with it. And don't forget to set your alarm!

Being late no longer has to be a problem for you. As long as you follow these tips for breaking your habit, you'll have more free time than you've ever had before. It's a great thought, isn't it? Being on time is a good feeling, so don't let tardiness be a problem for you.

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