Being on Time

Busy schedules abound these days. It's easy to get caught up with your current task and end being late for your next one. No one likes to be late and certainly, no one likes to have to wait for someone who is late. This is a guide about being on time.

Solutions: Being on Time

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Two Alarm Clocks For Appointments

If I'm going to have to wake up and get ready to leave for an appointment then I set not one, but two alarm clocks in my bedroom. One next to the bed, and one set to go off not more than 10 minutes later (gotta snooze!). The second alarm is placed all the way across the room, so that I have to get up to shut it off.

If the appointment is later in the day, I have a tiny alarm clock, and I clip that to my top up close to my head. This way I don't forget to stop what I'm doing and get ready to go.

I came up with this idea after missing appointments that were late morning or mid afternoon. I'd get busy doing something and totally forget, and some places charge you when you miss an appointment.

By Cricket from NC

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Set Clocks Ahead 5 to 10 Minutes

I have a bad habit of being 5 minutes late almost everywhere I go. Whether it's work, school or entertainment, I have a hard time getting anywhere on time. It must be something in my subconscious that I never allow myself to be early.

To correct this problem, I simply set the clocks in my kitchen and bedroom 5 to 10 minutes fast. I still have the exact time in places like my cell phone and cable box, but I don't usually think of this until I am on my way to wherever I am going. This gets me up and out of the house on time.

By Greg from Albany, NY

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Add Time for Travel and Preparation

What helps me be on time is back timing. I start with my arrival time, then work backwards with the parking time, travel time, getting ready to go time, meal time if that time of day, plus a few extra minutes for a cushion (usually 5).

For example, for a recent 9 am appointment - 20 minutes park, and drive time means leave home by 8:40 am. Getting ready time 30 minutes (shower, getting dressed, doing hair). I need to be in the shower by 8:10 am. Breakfast 15 minutes, so out of bed by 7:55am. Then my cushion time, set alarm for 7:45am and get up!

If I am going somewhere I have never been, I use Mapquest for an estimated driving time, as well as a travel route. If I have been there before, the planning process is almost automatic.

By Jean L. from Buffalo, NY

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Set Clocks Five Minutes Fast

I set three clocks in the house 5 minutes ahead. I set my alarm clock, the clock in the kitchen, and the one in the dining room ahead. Those are the clocks I go by when getting ready to go out the door. My husband has three clocks that he looks at and they are not set ahead. I know exactly what time I need to leave by looking at my clocks. I do not look at the clocks that are the right time because if I do, then I am late! I know some of you will say, "Oh, I have 5 extra minutes so I won't leave when I should." But I don't do that since this system is set up this way to get me to my destination on time.

By Shirley from Vermilion, OH

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Adjust Car Clock Ahead

Since my car usually carries me to an appointment, I set the car clock back 7 or 8 minutes permanently. It gives me "catch-my-breath" time. It keeps me from having a panic attack as I cut it close for an appointment.

By Lynn from Bridgeville, PA

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