There's Something More To It For Your Being Consistently Late

@artemeis (4194)
China
February 18, 2013 7:08pm CST
It never strike my mind that there are something more underlying when a person is consistently late. I always felt that it is basically due to one's bad habits like procrastinating, late nights or other selfish and inconsiderate reasons. In this article I read online, it says that there is something more complex than the above with certain people that no matter how early they may prepare or set off will still arrive late for work or appointments. In a recent study conducted at San Francisco State University of 225 people, it is found that about 17 percent that were chronically late showed an affinity for thrill-seeking and displayed ADD-like symptoms-restlessness, trouble focusing and attention issues. These people are found to often wrestling with anxiety, distraction, ambivalence or other internal psychological states. I am sure by now you will be as bewildered as me and I think the article does hold some ground for the perpetual unpunctual. There are 7 types of late people: The Deadliner - who loves to do everything last minute. The Producer - who loves to do EVERYTHING in as little time as possible. The Absent-Minded Professor - who is easily distracted. The Rationalizer - who never fully admits to her lateness (many late people are at least one part Rationalizer). The Indulger - who generally lacks self-control. The Evader - who tries to control feelings of anxiety and low self-esteem by being late; and The Rebel - who arrives late to assert power. The basics of punctuality are still being recommended but this is an eye opener for me. Like treating an illness, it suggests that we identify ourselves before applying the various remedies to overcome the problem of lateness. I hope that this will help those who have problems being punctual and have partners who are perpetually late. Read more: http://shine.yahoo.com/work-money/theres-reason-youre-always-145100506.html
2 people like this
9 responses
@jenny1015 (13366)
• Philippines
19 Feb 13
Great post! I have often thought about the other reasons for other people who has been consistently late. And I would somehow have the picture of my husband in mind. He would just be doing things the very last minute and I hate it every time he does that.
2 people like this
@artemeis (4194)
• China
20 Feb 13
Oh dear, I hope he is not undergoing the One More Task Syndrome with you. I can understand how it is to be on the receiving end with my girlfriends who are always dissatisfied with their looks and what not.
@jenny1015 (13366)
• Philippines
20 Feb 13
Well maybe it is more of the delaxing tactics. He just didn't want to tag along, I guess.
1 person likes this
@MoonGypsy (4606)
• United States
19 Feb 13
this is a very interesting post. it is also an interesting article. i think i fall somewhere between the evader and the rebel. lol.
2 people like this
@artemeis (4194)
• China
4 Apr 13
It is a learning experience for me, too. I didn't know that unpunctuality can be so chronic and I really pity those stricken by it. Once in a while can be disregarded but when it occurs frequently then I believe it would need to be looked into with some due consideration. I hope this would have been of help to you as much as it is for me.
• Philippines
19 Feb 13
i remember a book i read, those people always find reason to be late ,and it is so true, i am not one of those people, but i do not tolerate tardiness, i do not like people wasting my time
2 people like this
@artemeis (4194)
• China
4 Apr 13
I understand what you have mentioned here since I have been there before waiting for my girlfriends to turn up on time. I was just surprise with this article which open up another horizon for me here. There are some helpful tips for the punctual ones here which I find it good to know.
@sender621 (14894)
• United States
19 Feb 13
I feel that if a person is always late, there is a problem. Maybe it is a time issue. This does follow you and your reputation. When everyone sees that you are the one who is late all of the time, it can harm the behaviors and how others will respond to you.
@artemeis (4194)
• China
20 Feb 13
Like the article has mentioned, people who are perpetually late might have some underlying psychological problems and would need to know how to approach their problems to resolve them.
• Philippines
19 Feb 13
Nice for you, I hope your success in the future knowing the pros and cons is tasky but still you did it, in sharing to us we learn more. More power
2 people like this
@artemeis (4194)
• China
4 Apr 13
I have to admit that the article is an eye opener for me as well and I hope that this write up will be of help. I fully agree that knowledge is power and I am just happy to be able to share here.
@mani118 (146)
• Pakistan
19 Feb 13
Bad habit.No body never apperciate these peoples.
1 person likes this
@artemeis (4194)
• China
4 Apr 13
Disliking never solve any problems especially when it needs to be addressed with proper counseling and to some extent medication even. People need people and all the more so, when one is stricken with a condition.
@joliefille (3690)
• Philippines
19 Feb 13
I agree. Even in the news I don't trust the information given unless it's consistent and verified. I wasn't one known for always being late but I do know some friends who don't care if they are late. Some of those who don't show up on time may deliberately not be doing it just to make other people irate but like you pointed out stems from a psychological problem.
1 person likes this
@artemeis (4194)
• China
4 Apr 13
I do agree with your view about not believing everything online without checking for facts. However, I don't think the write up is anything exaggerating especially when a person is chronically unpunctual. I hope that there will be a higher understanding of things and a more effective way to address the problems relating to punctuality.
@rog0322 (2829)
• Cagayan De Oro, Philippines
19 Feb 13
Hi, You did not mention a faulty watch or the inability to keep an accurate timepiece. The symptoms and the causes are psychological and needs to be addressed, they are the root causes of that phenomenon of being late for an appointment. On my part, I don't suffer from it, being a consistent punctual person since I was in elementary years. On reason for my fascination with watches ever since, the more accurate the better. It helps me to regulate my movements to the last second if necessary.
1 person likes this
@artemeis (4194)
• China
20 Feb 13
You know what? You do have a point here. An inaccurate accessorized timepiece on the wrists or that urgent nature's call does hold some ground for that occasional late show ups. But, I think you can agree with me that we are living in an age where we are or never short of ways to tell time accurately or correct time starting with the computer you are having in front of you. As for nature's call, I suppose timing is everything where I believe the tip about relearning to tell time would help - determining the time needed from meal to poo time and use it in our timetables. It is simple science if you get what I mean. Human beings are creatures of habits and some people have different lifestyles which will then manifests different behaviors with their bodies. Some may take time before crapping while some crap almost immediately after a meal or to some, after snacking even. I think you will agree with me that these situations does not happen too often to make one consistently late. Like the timepiece, we can always get it repaired or replaced and on the timepiece, even successful Hongkong tycoon Li Ka Shing has his watch tuned to 20 minutes ahead of time which I am sure is not only to tell time. On the note on being accurate, I believe there's never anything that can ever be perfect and while it can be impressive it can go awry too when you put everything too close on the line. Personally, I prefer to give myself some ahead allowances when it comes to time management I just don't like getting caught out for my appointments.
• United States
19 Feb 13
There could be a psychological connection to being late. Perhaps some people simply do not pay attention to the details. One possibility (or other possibility) is that people have too much on their plate or too much scheduled for one day. This could explain why people are late in the afternoon. I was told by a management expert or boss that to avoid the tardiness one can simply reschedule an event and this would open up lots of time. This extra time could be used to get to and be early tot the next event. Customers and clients may not look favorably on a company that has representatives who are late. Being lat in the morning could be a result of poor planning the night before including getting enough sleep and setting the alarm at the right time.
1 person likes this
@artemeis (4194)
• China
20 Feb 13
About certain people having too much on their plate I believe the author has covered this particular aspect as a sufferer of the One More Task Syndrome who is always trying to do one more thing before leaving for an appointment. Many late people have an aversion to leaving the house, and suddenly feel the need to straighten the blinds or open the mail when they should be heading out the door. It is recommended that people having this problem should recognize such times, and convincingly say that whatever they have at that time can wait. I do agree with the point brought up about rescheduling when needed but with the present economic situation I can see that it is quite difficult for those whose jobs are on the line. I would feel that we should be looking at our schedules before accepting an appointment and planning ahead for unexpected events. Rescheduling an already fixed appointment is equally bad in front of a mindful client or customer too.