Whether it is an occasional date, a regular office day, an informal outing with friends or a wedding ceremony, some people just can’t seem to be on time, no matter what the event or occasion is. While people close to them may eventually accept this behaviour as just another aspect of their personality, it can cause trouble in various spheres of life.

For example, imagine you miss a flight because you are not able to reach on time or lose a promotion at work because you are constantly late. And we all know how arriving late on a date can be a huge turnoff for many people. If you too have earned the tag of ‘always coming late’ among your friends, family and colleagues, it’s time to identify the underlying reasons and work on them.

“In medical terms, we call this chronic lateness. It is a habit that can seriously impact a person’s work and social life. Being consistently late often points to deeper problems. It can range from problems in planning and organising to hidden anxieties or even rebellious feelings,” says Dr Ashima Ranjan, consultant psychiatrist at Yatharth Superspeciality Hospital, Noida.

Working late may be a part of your personality, but psychologists say you can unlearn the habit and become more punctual. “This could involve changing the way you think about time, making specific plans for getting somewhere, or estimating how long it takes to complete a task. Some people find it helpful to use mindfulness techniques,” says Dr Ranjan.

Why are some people always late?

Mental health experts say that this behaviour pattern of always being late can also be seen as a sign of possible psychological and neurological conditions. Otherwise, it could be an issue of time management, disorganisation or a struggle with conditioning.

Poor time management

“Some people struggle with time management, finding it difficult to plan their day and allocate enough time to tasks. Others often underestimate how long work will take, leading to delays. Clutter can also play a big role, making it difficult to stay on time,” says Dr Pankaj Borade, consultant psychiatrist, Ruby Hall Clinic, Mumbai.

Acknowledging the issue, developing respect for your own and other people’s time, and eventually working on it can be helpful.

Anxiety and ADHD

Mental health problems such as anxiety, depression, and ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) can also affect a person’s ability to manage time and stick to a schedule.

Dr. Ranjan says, “In some cases, being consistently late can be a manifestation of anxiety disorders, where the behavior serves as an inappropriate coping mechanism for social or performance-related stress.” An inappropriate coping mechanism refers to a behavior or strategy that people use to manage stress, anxiety, or difficult emotions that ultimately causes more harm than good.

Explaining how anxiety can be a key underlying factor for persistent procrastination, Dr. Ranjan says, “For people with anxiety disorders, arriving on time or early can lead to intense discomfort or stress. This can arise from social anxiety, where arriving early means facing uncomfortable conversations, or performance anxiety, where fears about competence lead to procrastination. Some people experience panic symptoms related to time pressure, while others struggle with anxiety-induced perfectionism that leads to over-preparation and delay.”

personality traits

Many people make procrastination a part of their personality, which is why they reach late everywhere. “Some people even enjoy the last minute rush, which is why they reach late,” says Dr. Borade.

Overcommitment

According to experts, overworking is also a common reason why people are often late. Some people try to do too much work in a day, due to which they are late for everything.

Cultural differences and conditioning

“Cultural differences may also be a factor. In some cultures, being late is not considered a big deal,” says Dr Borade.

lack of motivation

If a person is not interested or motivated in a particular program or task, this can cause delays.

How to manage it better

If you want to become better at time management and punctuality, then consistent efforts are the ultimate prerequisite. Identifying the underlying cause and taking relevant measures to work on them is the way to get rid of the tag of ‘always being late’.

“Developing better time management skills, setting realistic expectations, and improving organization can be helpful,” says Dr. Borade.

Here are some tips you can follow to be punctual:

Prioritize tasks: Focus on the most important tasks first. You can use a to-do list for this.

Set goals and deadlines: Break down tasks into manageable parts with deadlines.

For example, to reach the office on time, set a deadline to get ready. If you have to leave home at 9 am, aim to get ready by 8:30 am. This gives you buffer time to complete other tasks, such as eating breakfast.

Use reminders: Set alarms for appointments and tasks.

plan ahead: Prepare for the next day the night before. This could mean planning out what to wear the next day, planning your breakfast, or having a gym bag ready.

Allow buffer time: Always allow extra time for unexpected delays.

Seek professional help: If you think conditions like anxiety or ADHD are the reason you’re always late, consider consulting a psychiatrist.

Remember, consistency along with punctuality is the solution!