Running Late? Time to Break a Costly Habit

Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Running late can cost both money and professionalism.

(NewsUSA) - Missing the previews at the movies might not seem like a big offense, but when running late becomes a habit, it can hurt relationships, push back schedules and cost money.

According to a 2006 survey by Proudfoot Consulting, American CEOs arrive late to eight out of every 10 meetings. Their tardiness costs $90 billion a year in lost productivity.

Running late can be a hard habit to break, but with a few time-management skills, Americans can get back on schedule. SUCCESS Magazine, a publication designed to helps its readers find success in every aspect of their lives, offers these tips to today's white rabbits:

- Don't plan everything to go smoothly. Remember Murphy's Law? Everything that can go wrong will go wrong. But this doesn't mean that you should resign yourself to arriving late to every occasion. Instead, plan to arrive at least 15 minutes before your scheduled event. That way, situations beyond your control, like a cranky child or slow traffic, won't put you behind.

- Don't underestimate the time you need. When figuring out your travel time, consider everything, including dressing, drinking coffee, sending e-mails and preparing documents. Figure on traffic delays, finding parking and walking to the actual destination. If you're going someplace new, give yourself an extra 10 to 15 minutes to find the building.

- Stay organized. Keep your wallet, keys, purse, briefcase and anything else you need every day in one location at home. Looking for your keys every morning will only put you behind schedule.

- Block off a period of the day for time-consuming tasks. Answering e-mail and making or returning calls can intrude on the tasks that you need to complete. So, instead of answering messages as they come in, carve out a block of time in your day planner to return phone calls and respond to e-mail.

- Work ahead of deadlines. When you get an assignment, start it immediately. That way, you won't have to worry about the project's deadline.