How to Be on Time for Appointments

Everyone has been guilty of arriving late for an appointment and making up excuses for our tardiness. The fact is that being late only adds stress to your life and does nothing to prepare you for a successful meeting, appointment or visit. Even if you're perpetually late, it's never too late to change your ways and learn to be on time.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Prepare the night before for the next day. Review what needs to be done on the eve of your appointment and empty out your purse and briefcase of all unnecessary documents that have accumulated there. Pack what you need, and place all the objects to take with you by the door on a hook or shelf for easy access on your way out.
2. Learn to rely on your clocks. Your clocks should be your best friends. Set the alarm clock that you keep on your nightstand ahead the amount of time you usually find yourself running late. Buy more clocks and hang them in every room you spend a lot of time in. The constant reminder will help you stay on task and leave the house on schedule.
3. Maintain your car. Always make sure that your gas tank is full the night before you have an important appointment. Lines at the gas station are usually the longest in the morning rush hour, and you don't want to lose precious time when traffic is heaviest. Stock your car with your favorite CDs, loose change and some cash so that you don't have to run around at the last minute searching for your music and you have money on hand for tolls and emergencies.
4. Change your bedtime. If you're routinely tired when your alarm goes off and have trouble pulling yourself out of bed, start going to bed earlier. You'll be much more rested and sharp for your appointment the next day and won't be late because you spent that extra half-hour dozing under the covers.
5. Psych yourself into being early for appointments. Think ahead of time how much more successful your appointment will be if you actually have time to sit down in the reception area 10 to 15 minutes before your appointment to review notes and mentally prepare. Remember that rushing in late only makes you look scattered and unprofessional.
6. Be sure of the location and how to get there. The day before your appointment, confirm the exact address with an assistant, and get directions from him or the Internet or rely on your GPS--or do all three. Review the directions the night before so that you're familiar with the route, and don't leave your map at home.

Tips & Warnings

• When buying extra clocks, pick up another alarm clock for your bedroom. Set two alarm clocks to go off 5 to 10 minutes apart and place the second one across the room to make sure you get up. Don't rely on the snooze button.
• One of your alarm clocks should be battery-operated in case the power goes out during the night.