Tardiness is one of the traits that tarnishes one’s impression. There is never enough reason for being late. Most times engagements are always pre-planned and times already agreed upon by both parties. For work, it’s even worse, because it is a no-brainier what each one’s reporting time is. 
Among other traits, tardiness shows a lack of interest, disrespect for the other person’s time and careless conduct. It makes people think twice about trusting you with their time, business and even friendship. At work, it goes to show utter disrespect. Making you seem unreliable which goes to play against you.
The worst thing to do in such situations is give excuses that go in the line of traffic, home issues and some other lie cooked up in the lift heading to the office or meeting.
Time is money and first impressions are everything that leaves tardiness a thief of that one chance to get into people’s good books. Being late can seem something very minor, little do people recognize the amount of damage it has on one’s character and brand.
Here are 3 ways you could overcome lateness:
1. Plan.
Get the outfit for the day assorted, ironed and ready to go. Pack your bag prior and have notes ready.
If it’s for a meeting, have your talking points in check and peruse through the topic of the day to ensure you have a clear understanding of what will be tabled. Moreover, familiarize yourself with the directions to the meeting place, this is primarily essential if it is an unfamiliar destination.
Also, factor in possible traffic leaving out ample time allowance that will allow you to get there in good time.
2. Reminders
Place reminders on your mobile phone, do sticky notes as well. This keeps you conscious of the commitment, the time and place and thus running late or forgetting about it all together is well avoided.
3. Cancel or reschedule
In some cases, we are genuinely running late for one valid reason or another. So what to do is call in advance and inform the other party of the unavoidable circumstance. Things never just happen out of the blues thus be courteous enough to involve the other party in good time.
Excuse yourself or ask to reschedule the meeting if they seem aggrieved or agitated. Give them the courtesy of choosing the time and place of the meeting; due to the inconvenience caused.
Remember, “tardiness often robs us an opportunity, and the dispatch of our forces” – Niccolo Machiavelli.Thre
