Someone who is always late

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Article Summary. Method 1. If you will need a ride somewhere, ask another person who is more punctual. Tell them an earlier time. If you need them to arrive somewhere at 6PM, and they are typically more than two hours late, tell them to be there by 4PM. Be aware that should they actually arrive at 4PM, they will be upset with you for misleading them. Tell them that this event was time sensitive and you were afraid they would be late.

Help them if they are in need. Instead, go over to assist them so they can be on time. Offer to pick them up if you are able. Go with the flow when you can. Sometimes, being on time is not always important. Who cares if you show up 30 minutes late to the party? Pick your battles when the schedule is flexible. Use waiting time productively. The person who is late might be someone who you cannot avoid waiting on, like your boss. Send emails, read a book, or catch up on any other work.

Use extra time to relax. If you are always waiting for your spouse to get ready, but are in no particular rush, use this time to do something for yourself. Method 2. Talk in private. If this person is rarely late, consider letting it slide, but if it is more regular, a conversation is necessary. Once you notice a pattern of lateness, pull your employee or friend to the side to chat.

The next time they are late, sit them down away from others to chat. Voice your concerns. Let them know how their lateness makes you feel.

Tell them that your time is valuable, but you often find yourself waiting around on them. That second difference can add up. Apparently, there's a bit of truth in your accusation that your consistently late friend "can't tell time. You may consider any or all of the above as behavior deficits, but they are all qualities frequently seen in the creative, innovative entrepreneur.

As my colleague, Wanda Thibodeaux points out, frequent tardiness may point to qualities that bring success. Your friend or colleague is likely an optimist, bright and creative, and possesses an ability to think on their feet. No matter the reason, the tendency to run behind time is annoying to others. The best thing you can do is to act independently in your plans.

Don't depend on this person to be ready on time. If waiting isn't an option or makes you angry, make your own travel arrangements whenever possible. Going to the theater or concert? Never rely on your friend to get you in the door. It doesn't necessarily feel good to arrive alone, but it's less stressful than missing the best parts of a performance.

If you're meeting for a meal or walk in the park, always have an alternative means of entertainment to keep you busy while you wait. Your tablet or cell phone can keep you busy, but it's best to know what you're going to read or research ahead of time.

That's why a book is a good idea. Otherwise, you'll browse aimlessly, focused on your agitated state rather than your objective to remain occupied. It's ok to dial up your friend to let them know you're waiting, the nudge will probably get them moving. They are bizarrely confident that they can have a shower, pack all their luggage, take the elevator downstairs, wait in the queue at reception, check out of the hotel and get a taxi to the airport in a total of 10 minutes.

They "see" travel times as really short and imagine that it's perfectly reasonable to fit five jobs into a five-minute window. The fix: Travel apps on a smartphone often help. If these people can see the reality of the situation on the screen 31 minutes to the airport, not 10 , they can reset their schedules.

Some people need to relearn how to judge the time. On each occasion you are late, take the time to work out why this happened.

One tactic is to find the "pain points" when you are late, and pick on just one of them. For example, a bus trip might take 30 minutes — but your waiting time for the bus could be 10 minutes. So allow 50 minutes not the optimistic 40 minutes or the irrational 30 for the whole journey. Start small, succeed with that one pain point, and repeat over and over to lock it in.

Then add a new pain point. You'll start getting positive feedback, such as having the time to gather your thoughts and analyse situations.