Time to get punctual
I.M. Soni

Are you suffering from the widespread always -late syndrome? No matter how hard you try, you fail to be there on time.

You are late whether it is the class lecture at 11 a.m. You know that to get to a class lecture on time, you must be out of your house at least half an hour earlier. But it is already past 10 a.m. and you have yet to eat your breakfast, collect your notes and other papers, will rush and forget to collect your pen.

The result, you have put yourself in a frenzy of panic, alarm, and consequent stress because you are in a state of continual rush. You are then always making excuses. You become alibi-minded.

For some, like Romesh, being on time looks impossible. It has become a deep-rooted habit. He is known as ‘the late one.’ (pun intended).

This, being habitually late, is not inherited. Nor is it beyond you to change this pattern. If you want to get out of this straightjacket, you have first to understand it — get at the psychological root of it. Why does it happen to you.

Reasons vary from person to person. It may be sheer laziness in the case of one who knows he is not going to be regulated or regimented.

For another, it is simply having no idea of time management. He is just unmindful at estimating how long things take. Because he does not have the habit of keeping track, he misses and messes his timings.

Such a person has never had a serious look at the watch — why it has three hands. Hours, minutes and seconds.

It is a sensible and sound idea to write down how long it takes to do a task. And then write it down how long it did. The precaution you must take here is: be realistic about it. This especially applies to jobs you do routinely.

Now, consider the psychological angle. Are you trying to avoid the event? Are you wriggling out of the commitment? Are you trying not to face your teacher?

Your lateness may also indicate anxiety. Your mind could be working feverishly, coping with some anxiety. Your mind could be off or focused on something else. If you are doing something which you do not want to do, your lateness is a way of showing it. Students come late and casually to the classroom if they disfavour a teacher, eagerly and on time, if they like him.

This attitude gives a negative message about your own personality. You can help yourself.

You can overcome this flaw. You have to look at your sense of time-keeping and set it straight.

Change your approach. Model yourself on punctual people. Further, do not live from moment to moment. Eliminate stress, feel relaxed, and you will become punctual.

Study your syndrome. Are you always late for particular events? Trace the pattern. You will find it easier to get a solution.

Remember: there is no effect without a cause. Get down to the cause and you will control the effect.

Punctuality is a moral principle.