Lateness - What it says to others and how to nip the habit

Part of Global Marketing Concepts training module goes over the essentials of punctuality.Timeliness speaks volumes about someone's ability to be organized. Beyond organization, when someone is on time it says to others they are considerate of their time and value the event they are attending. If you are finding yourself chronically late here are some tips that will help you break your untimely behavior:

1. Own your behavior and habit - Stop making excuses about the why's and what's as to why you were unable to make a meeting or gathering. Reflect on your day to day and see where you are wasting most your time.
2. Plan your daily and weekly schedule - Having a game plan and agenda for what you are going to be doing on a daily basis. If you create time blocks for yourself you will be setting yourself up for success.
3. Alarm clocks - see them as a investment, not as a nuisance. Purchase at least two to get you moving, and set them at least 15 minutes prior to when it is you need to be leaving your home as a last minute warning to gather and go. If getting up out of bed is your issue, go to bed earlier and set your alarm clock a good distance away from where you sleep.
4. Your image and personal brand - Set a note to remind yourself that first impressions are being made, relationships and networking need to be positively maintained. If you remind yourself to be considerate of others, your punctuality will be seen as a necessity. 
5. Prior preparations - If you are attending a meeting, get your wardrobe out and ready the night prior. Prepack lunches and snacks, and have any written materials or electronics packed and near the door. If you have everything ready prior to any meeting or gathering you will avoid any last minute scattering around. 

Remember being early is being on time! 

Here is a great read from Forbes on an outsiders perspective on a tardy person - http://onforb.es/1hlzDBD