If you’ve ever dashed out the door late for work, skipped a meet-up, or raced to be on time, know that you’re not the only one. A lot of us are always late, and it affects our jobs, friendships, and how good we feel. This could be due to many things, like bad traffic, personal issues, or just not watching the clock. Knowing why it happens can help us stop it.
Being late isn’t just about not caring or being lazy. There are many reasons people are late, like mental well-being or how their brains work. Anxiety, burnout, and what psychologists refer to as the Planning Fallacy—when we constantly underestimate the time a task will take—are all included. Studies indicate that approximately 20% of employees are regularly late, costing companies billions of dollars in lost productivity. Numerous employers are realizing this fact, providing flexible scheduling, employee aid programs, and rewards for encouraging punctuality.
For others, including those with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), lateness is more than a habit—it’s a function of the brain. Individuals with ADHD tend to have “time blindness,” or difficulty perceiving and regulating time properly. Tasks are longer or shorter than they are, and habits or appointments get missed. Sharon Saline, PsyD, says that time perception is based on memory, attention, and dopamine—all domains where those with ADHD can struggle.
Scientific research supports this. Variations in the prefrontal cortex and dopamine system make it hard to estimate the passage of time, plan, and determine task duration in particularly for people with ADHD. This is not an individual shortcoming—it’s the way the brain functions. Although therapy and medication are useful, practical solutions are just as valuable.
Even among individuals without ADHD, bad estimation of time is a common offender. It’s simple to underestimate the amount of time it takes to get ready, travel, or complete a task, and then experience late mornings and missed deadlines. Time can be managed with the use of tools such as SMART goals, planners, or prioritization techniques such as the Eisenhower matrix. This can be facilitated by employers with training and clear communication, but individuals also have to develop a culture that appreciates being on time.
Individuals who struggle with chronic lateness tend to develop coping strategies, including masking or rationalizing delays. This can include excuses, internal rationalizations, or attempting to catch up on lost time elsewhere. These coping strategies may bring reprieve, but they do not address the root problem and can eventually strain relationships.
So, how do you stop going round and round? Start by planning from the end back. If you have time to meet, know when you need to be there and plan for possible delays. Use visual aids like sticky notes or an old clock to make time feel real. Setting many alarms, using app lists, and breaking tasks into small, easy steps can help too. Those with ADHD may find the Pomodoro Technique useful. It splits work time into short focus periods with breaks to keep your mind sharp and driven.
Bosses can’t sit out. Having bendy work times, health help, and policies good for families can help ease time worries. For moms and dads, teaching kids to use clocks and saying good things about being on time can build long-lasting habits.
Being late all the time isn’t just a small bother—it can mess up how well a team works, lift or lower spirits, and affect how well work gets done. By looking at why and using good ways, you can take hold of your time and make your life better. Whether it’s ADHD, health stuff, or a packed day that’s behind it, tiny changes can make a big difference.