the essential guide to late-coming

Over the years of frequent over-sleeping and procrastination I have become quite a seasoned late-comer. I have been put through most of the common remedies employed by schools in attempt to discourage late-coming, none of them ever having any lasting effect. Like most people with such gross a habit, I know the solution my problem. The next sad truth is that most of us are too lazy to do anything about it. It really doesn't take much for one to wake up a bit earlier and do all that is necessary to be punctual; the problem lies in doing it consistently. Generally any chronic habit puts you in a state of inertia that requires more diligence than one with such a habit could care to muster to break it. The emotional callousness that one develops with the habit doesn't help either. Or my rambling.

I should make it clear that I am not trying to condone late-coming. But habit or not, all of us are susceptible to the occasional slip-up – all it takes is one late-night, or one moment of forgetfulness. This is where my experience becomes relevant. There are a few tips and tricks I developed during my schooling days that I reckon would be useful for any person who has to wake up early enough to run into the risk of over-sleeping. Here are the steps I take, as follows:


1. The first and most important thing to remember when you are rudely awakened by the fact you've overslept is DO NOT PANIC. Although panicking would instantly give you an adrenaline high and kick your engines up to fifth gear, it is very dangerous for late-coming. It puts one into a rush, and subsequently you'd start to overlook certain things – oftentimes important things. The key is to move fast and decisively, not in a flutter. If you find yourself becoming anxious, stop whatever you're doing. Breathe. Which brings me to my next point.

2. Make a mental list of everything important you need to do or bring with you. It should be a short list, comprising of around five things at most. Do this before doing anything else, because this would help you focus on what is important and prioritise accordingly. For things you need to bring, like files, your laptop, or say, a thumb drive, it helps if you gather them first then put them near the last place you will pass before leaving home. Put them close to each other in an obvious and uncluttered place, so you don't take more or less than intended. As you complete each task, tick them off your list then focus on the next task on hand.

3. a. Multitask – if this wasn't already obvious. Don't do anything too elaborate, though, because it may distract you. Try doing simple tasks together, like brushing teeth while bathing, or shaving while shitting.

b. Avoid doing things you can avoid doing. Again, this seems like an obvious point, but if you want to really cut those precious minutes you have to compromise. Depending on your own jurisdiction, you may want to skip your morning shower and/ or breakfast (highly recommended)... but such priorities vary between individuals and situations. Otherwise you could find faster alternatives options, like taking a mint in place of brushing your teeth.

c. Make use of buffer time to do less important tasks. It's like doing make-up or combing hair during red lights. Putting your socks on in the the cab. Bringing your bottle empty and filling it when you have the time. The more creative (and daring!) you are with this, the more time you can cut. Buffer time, especially transportation time for those who take public transport, is really quite useless unless you make it otherwise.

4. If you have an appointment or meeting that you are running late for, be sure to make a call to inform the other party that you would be late. This is only basic courtesy. Do this during the above-mentioned buffer time.

5. Once you're on the road, relax. Really. The rush-hour traffic jam, the slow-moving taxi/ bus driver, the inconsiderate crowd, the broken down vehicle in your lane are all out of your control. Getting frustrated over them does nothing for you except make you more prone to more botches. Keep yourself calm and start thinking about your plans for the day, or if you have it in you to, enjoy the ride.

6. There is no such thing as a "reason" for late-coming. Not even if the batteries in your alarm ran out of juice. Or if your bus was late. If there was a real reason for one to be late it would likely be a massive problem that would affect more than just you alone and probably big enough for everyone else to be late as well. Like a snow-storm. Or the collapse of a highway. Godzilla. Those are the kind of reasons you wouldn't even have to explain. Why I didn't qualify the first two examples as reasons is because I've used them before and they don't work. They're tried, tested, and pretty worn-out excuses, so it usually doesn't matter whether they are true or not because the person you're explaining it to wouldn't believe it anyway. Then again, it could be because I was a chronic late-comer that those became unlikely justifications. Still, it is usually easier to admit that it was your mistake and apologise for it. It shuts people up.


So this is it... for now. I might add another segment to this post but that will have to wait.