7 reasons why you are always late

Are you one of those who always arrives late everywhere? Time is running out on you and everyone criticizes the -supposed- lack of respect and responsibility? If this is your case and you do not know why you suffer from this peculiarity, the following text will interest you.

Are you one of the people who usually arrives at the wrong time? You may look like the white rabbit in Alice in Wonderland, running with a watch in hand heading to a very important appointment. It is often said that behind this behavior is poor organization and little appreciation of other people’s time. However, the reasons why you are always late are not only limited to these causes.

What lies behind those who delay their commitments ranges from a poor perception of time to a possible attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).. Everyone can show some particularities that would explain this uncomfortable behavior.

Many people who frequently arrive late do not do so intentionally, nor do they ignore other people’s feelings. It is a fact that affects their lives and that they do not always know how to control.

Systematic delays: why are you always late?

Some arrive late because they are very optimistic when estimating the time it will take for an activity, even an everyday one, such as taking a shower.. They tell themselves: “I have plenty of time.” However, before they leave home, things have happened to them that are unforeseen to them and to the rest of the world are “foreseen.”

It is evident that those who delay have terrible time management.. What’s more, the majority do not consciously arrive late to achieve an effect, such as placing themselves in a superior position compared to others. Absolutely.

This is a characteristic with mental and behavioral triggers that, although varied, science has studied a lot. In that order of ideas, the following would be reasons for the frequent delays.

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1. Problems in working memory

Working or operational memory defines that competence that allows you to maintain information in consciousness and manipulate it. You use it, for example, during a mental calculation. This memory can become saturated, like the RAM of a computer, and this would influence why you are always late.

How does this phenomenon occur? The person keeps unnecessary thoughts in this type of memory that distract them when executing tasks, which in turn makes them slower and late.

One of the best strategies to unload working memory is to establish routines and, for more complex processes, write lists; so that paper is the support that helps free cognitive resources for faster actions.

2. Chronic time management problems

The University of Washington highlighted that The reason why some people who are systematically late is due to their poor time management and prospective memory, that is, the cognitive ability to remember and plan future actions. This last characteristic is related to the organization of upcoming tasks.

There are people who show clear biases when it comes to structuring themselves, calculating time, and remembering those activities that they must complete within a few minutes or hours.

The phenomenon of “time blindness” is often one of the causes of late arrivals.

3. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

If you ask yourself “why am I late” over and over again, the answer could be an attention deficit. It is a fact to be considered. It is possible to receive a late diagnosis of ADHD. When this happens, you understand the reason for many everyday problems. Not being able to arrive on time for appointments and commitments could have this trigger.

The University of Florida highlights in research how students with ADHD often show difficulties in self-managing tasks and time. Their academic and social life is greatly damaged by this characteristic.

Often, behind tardiness is ADHD, social anxiety and fear of facing certain situations.

4. Tardiness and chronic lateness syndrome

Dr. Diana DeLonzor, a specialist in time management and tardiness behavior, wrote a very interesting book titled Never Be Late Again: 7 Cures for the Punctually Challenged (2003). In that work he explained that lateness would derive from a fairly widespread syndrome.

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It consists of chronic delay, which defines someone who feels pleasure or an adrenaline rush from the experience of being late.. He does not see it as irresponsibility, but as a way of life. They are figures who try to do more than time allows, leaving everything for the last moment.

An example of this is those who study the day before the exam, driven by a high peak of adrenaline and motivation. But these behaviors are not always successful.

5. Your time passes differently (timebenders)

“Why am I always late, what is the reason for my tardiness?” There is another interesting factor and it is the fact that, For some people, time passes alternately. Dr. Grace Pace coined the term timebenders to refer to those who usually show these behaviors and beliefs. Below are its characteristics:

They are optimistic and think that they always have plenty of time.They show compulsive behaviors(making sure everything is closed several times before leaving the house, for example). They think that tardiness is part of their personality and not something they could change. Therefore, a resistance to improving their habits prevails.

6. Procrastination

There is another reason why you are always late; It’s procrastination. You may be one of those who leaves everything until the last minute and, almost without knowing how, time always catches up with you. Fear or anxiety may be hidden behind chronic procrastination.

Therefore, It may be the case that your tardiness is due to the latent anxiety caused by going to certain places and facing social scenarios.. It is common among those who suffer from social phobia.

One way to handle tardiness is to learn time management techniques.

7. Habits inherited from your environment and why you are late

Education shapes and caregivers are those figures whose behaviors and habits are imitated. It is possible that at home punctuality was not valued, that even as a child they took you late to school, to mention one case. The environment is that first social setting from which multiple habits and beliefs are acquired that are later repeated in adulthood.

Lateness usually causes work and interpersonal problems.

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How to deactivate the habit of being late?

Being late in tasks and being late in appointments and commitments has consequences; also more than one argument and maybe even a dismissal. Being a “chronic tardy” does not benefit you, even if you think it is part of your personality, it is possible to change. There are very basic strategies that help improve your habits, productivity and coexistence.

A recommended method to find out why you are always late is to consult a specialized professional.. As noted, it is possible that this characteristic is triggered by an anxiety disorder or ADHD. Having a diagnosis is a good starting point. Other applicable keys are those listed below:

Do not postpone tasks.Avoid falling into multitasking.Train memory and attention.Get used to having routines and stick to them.Practice time management techniques.Learn to plan things in advance.Execute techniques to manage stress and anxiety.Plan everything to arrive 10 minutes early to your appointments. Keeping your surroundings tidy helps you avoid wasting time. Always keep in mind that unexpected things can happen.

To conclude, while it is true that many people are late for an appointment, not all of them make it a norm or custom. In these cases, It is advisable to initiate changes that take care of the social circle in this sense; With them you will even improve your vision of yourself.