Stress Free Solutions: How To Handle Running Late

Life can be a crazy, hectic mess, even at the best of times. Although we try our best to be on time for everything, there will be times when we will be late. We worry and stress, formulate a believable excuse, and promise ourselves we won't let this happen again.

We fret it will affect our rapport with others or we could lose our job. But did you know there is a stress-free way to handle running late?

In this article we will explain the best way to deal with running late that will not only reduce the amount of stress and anxiety you may be feeling, but also reduce the chances others may become angry at your tardiness.

Although it isn't foolproof, these simple steps will prevent things from getting worse:

Reach Out As Soon As You Know You Are Running Late 

As soon as the thought of "I think I'm going to be late" enters your mind, you should contact whoever you are meeting and inform them. Giving the other person as much notice as possible will reduce the chances of them being upset compared to if you showed up unexpectedly late.

This also gives them extra time to finish any last-minute chores if they are hosting a dinner or party.

If you are going to be late for an appointment, like to the doctors or dentist, call their office and let the receptionist know. Some businesses won't take you in if you are more than 5 minutes late and others may charge a late fee. Repeated lateness can result in being discharged from the practice altogether.

Give A Short Explanation Of Why You Are Running Late 

Giving a short explanation of why you are running late will alleviate any suspicions others may have regarding your tardiness. Things out of your control like public transportation delays, traffic jams, and weather are often excused without any fuss.

We recommend checking for any potential delays at least 30 minutes before you plan to leave. If there is a delay, leave sooner to give yourself more time to get to your destination and avoid being late.

Refrain from fabricating or over-exaggerating why you're running late. Telling someone "there's a 50 car pile-up in my driveway" sounds a bit unbelievable unless you live in the middle of a freeway. If there is an accident on your street preventing you from leaving, you can take a picture (as long as you aren't behind the wheel) as proof.

You do not need to give an explanation for personal reasons like family matters or medical emergencies. As long as you are being honest, no one will question you. However, if you use personal reasons as an excuse for repeated lateness, people may become suspicious. Your boss may raise their eyebrows when you tell them you're going to your grandma's funeral again (for the fourth time this year).

Give An Estimated Arrival Time 

Once you have explained why you are running late, give an educated guess on your estimated time of arrival. "I'm just a couple of blocks away, I'll be there in less than 5 minutes" can be the difference between making your appointment or having to reschedule it.

If you don't know how long it will take you to get to your destination, be honest. It's better to say you aren't sure than giving an unrealistic time and arriving late. If anything, add a few minutes to your arrival time; this will be an unexpected (positive) surprise when you arrive.

Give A Sincere Apology Regarding Your Lateness When You Arrive

Once you arrive at your destination, apologize for being late. Depending on the situation and severity, a simple, sincere apology can be enough. There's no need to go into detail or plea for forgiveness. Most people will be understanding if you are late due to something out of your control.

If you are late to a very important meeting, appointment, or event, your employer may request you write a formal apology letter. Even if you aren't asked, you can write one yourself and send it to your employer. This shows them that you are aware that your actions have consequences and that you will be more conscious of your punctuality in the future.

A formal apology letter needs to include:

• The name(s) of the people you are apologizing to

• Acknowledging your tardiness and the result it had on your performance (and others, if it affected your co-workers, boss, team, etc.)

• A sincere apology

• A solution

• Closing by asking for forgiveness and resolution

Remember that habitual lateness followed by repeated apologies will hurt your relations. Continually being late several times over can result in you losing your job, ending relationships, and becoming known as an unreliable person. A sincere apology is a promise to the other person that you will do your best to correct your behaviour.

Things To Avoid Doing When You Are Running Late: 

If you find yourself running late, take a deep breath and collect yourself. Here are a few actions you should avoid if you are running late or decide to not attend an event you were invited to:

Do Not Rush

If you realize you are running late, resist the urge to rush to your destination. You may forget to bring something with you, leave something in your car (or on transit), or put other lives in danger if you start to speed and weave in and out of traffic.

Rushing also increases stress and anxiety, which compounds onto the stress and anxiety you'll already be under for running late.

Do Not Ignore Others

If someone you are supposed to be meeting is trying to get a hold of you, do not ignore them. Ignoring them will only lead to them becoming more frustrated and angry. Instead, answer the phone and let them know that you are running late.

If they text you while you are driving, use a hands-free method to call them or wait until an appropriate and safe time to respond.

Do Not Walk In With A Coffee In Hand If You Are Late

Arriving late work or class with a coffee in hand implies that you could have been on time if you didn't stop for your coffee. This visual cue shows others that you don't prioritize being on time. Some people view this as self-centered behaviour, especially if you are the reason why everyone else is waiting to start class, a meeting, or project.

Do Not No-Show Or "Ghost" Others

If you decide you'd rather stay in, let the host(s) or whoever invited you know as soon as possible. This is especially important for RSVP'd events with catering and assigned seating. These events often require attendance confirmations days, weeks, or even months in advance so the host(s) can ensure there is enough food, party favours, and chairs for everyone. You may be requested to pay a no-show fee to cover any extra costs the host(s) have to deal with.

Remember: No One Is Immune From Running Late

If you find yourself waiting for someone who is running late, give them the benefit of the doubt. The best thing to do is be patient with them as to not add to their stress. Everyone makes mistakes and losing track of time from time to time can happen. After all, we're only human.

If you are dealing with someone who is habitually late, you should speak to them and let them know that their lack of punctuality is a problem. Be clear and concise. Some people aren't aware that arriving late isn't tolerated. You may have to lay some ground rules or refrain from inviting them to future outings unless they promise to arrive on time.

Alternatively, you can tell them to arrive at an earlier time so that they actually arrive on time. You can also gamify their lateness by betting if they are more than 15 minutes late, they owe everyone a drink or have to buy you an appetizer. Once money is involved, they will likely start showing up on time more often.

Summary

Being punctual and aware of time management is a highly valued skill both at work and during your personal time. The next time you are running late and begin to feel stressed, remember these simple steps.

Doing so shows others that you value their time as much as yours, lateness isn't tolerated, and that you will work hard on preventing it from happening again.

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