Do you struggle with being late? If so, I hope you’ll head over to Roo Mag and read some lessons God taught me about why being on time matters. If you are visiting for the first time after reading my article on Roo Mag, I hope you’ll stay awhile. And if you like what you see, please consider subscribing to get my blog updates.
I had some more thoughts to share about being late … or being on time. While I’m not chronically late anymore, I still struggle with time. While I’m almost always on time for an appointment or the start of an event, I still run late occasionally. Especially when it comes to errands.
For some reason, I take longer to run errands than my husband does. If he and I had the same exact list, and went into the same exact store, he would sure finish at least 15 minutes before I would. If not more. I just take longer to do everything! I stroll, consider options, compare prices, chat with someone I meet, etc.
This relaxed approach carries over to most things I do. And the other problem is I tend to be an optimist. How can being an optimist ever be a bad thing? Well, it’s good in most areas, but not when I’m trying to accurately assess how much time it takes to get something done … or show up on time. I always think I can accomplish more than I actually can. Which gets me into binds of time.
Knowing this about myself, I’ve learned to schedule less than think I can get done. Here are a few tips that help me:
1. I order my errands or tasks from highest to lowest priority. That way I can shorten my list as I’m running out of time. I’m always asking my kids and myself, “What do we HAVE to get done?” Then we do that first.
2. I add on 15-20 minutes minutes more than I think I need to do any errand or local driving trip. If I think running to the store for a few items will only take 30 minutes, I tell my husband it will take 45.
3. For getting out of the house on time, I start gathering items the day before. I have a specific spot by the front door where I put things that I’ll need.
4. I’ve started identifying one significant task a day I want to accomplish in addition to my regular duties. Then if I get that one thing accomplished, I can add on minor ones.
Even though I value timeliness, there are situations when being late is the right things to do. I never want to ignore a need or a pass up chance to show love to someone who needs it. Interestingly, when I build in extra time to my schedule … when I create margins around my responsibilities … I already have cushions of time in case God gives me a last-minute assignment.
I’m on a journey to discover what a productive, but unhurried, life looks like. I want to be fully present, but prepared for the next thing. Is that possible? I believe with God’s wisdom and some discipline on my part, it is. If this sounds appealing to you, I hope you’ll join me.
If you are reading this in an email, and would like to leave a comment, please click here to be taken to my blog. Thanks so much for joining me today.
Grace & Peace,
Glynnis
I find that the older I get the more I let time slip by. I get to work right on the hour or a minute or two past the hour.
Ten years ago I had the transmission go out in my car and for a year I walked to work. I would get to work 10-15 minutes early, while those who drove were 5-15 minutes late getting to work.
Thanks for this message. I am going to trust God with my time
Wow, did this one hit the nail on the head! You mean there’s someone just like me??!! I’ve struggled with this for many years, yet I hate being late to anything. My husband has pointed out just what you’re saying, I put way too many things on my list than are realistic in a time frame, then I’m chronically disappointed with the outcome, and late to wherever I should be. Thanks for sharing this, it’s good to know there’s a sister with the same qualities!
I hate being late but, find that I too schedule to much to do in a time frame and sometimes that makes me late. I have been feeling that God has been working on me over-scheduling and being too “busy” for the last year. Its getting better but I still have a lot of work to do (apparently in this area I’m a slow learner). I’m excited to hear more about this topic.
This has been an issue for me since I started switching classes in the 6th grade, and I’m 32 now! I know God deals with me about this, but I’ve repeatedly been reprimanded by principals, college professors and bosses about being late to classes and work for-for the past 20 years. It is a place of frustration for my family. I have God’s wisdom available, but I lack discipline. Please pray with me about this, I’m ready to face this issue head on!
hi amber. i know how you’re feeling. i also run late for everything and i’m not for sure how to fix it. i think part of my problem is i can never get caught up and therefore i’m always running behind. i will pray for you and your family that you will be blessed with God’s wisdom and that learning to be on time will be super easy for you.
hugs!
thanks Glynnis!!! we sound very similar in this area! I am constantly thinking I can get more things accomplished in too short of a time frame. I hate to be late to things (and my husband hates it when I am too) but I have had such a hard time overcoming this. I’ve been trying to blame the fact that I have 3 kids ages 4 and under, but if I’m honest with myself, I struggled with this even before we had kids and then I really did not have a good excuse. I am going to try some of your tips. I think it will just take some more thought on my part and preparation the night before, etc. Thanks again!!
As I’ve read your blog, I feel like we were separated at birth!
You moved from AZ to NC, as did I, and you seem to have most of the same traits and struggles as myself. Your blog almost always seems to minister directly to me! Thank you so much for your insight! It’s nice to have a sister who thinks like I do – sometimes that’s not so easy to find. 
Maybe there are THREE of us! Thank you, Glynnis, for hitting the nails on their proverbial heads. I am thankful for you, your struggles and how God has and is teaching and using all!
Oh I am amazed at how I can identify with you so many times with so many topics! Thank you Glynnis
As someone who struggles with anxiety and panic attacks, I have learned how to do everything more slowly. This new way of thinking has been so freeing! Thank you for pointing out how to be productive, but not rushing through life.
I totally understand. I always want to take time at the store to be able to ask about someone I see or check in with them. I want to be able to give them some time to share and not appear rushed. I want to put people first and allow God to flow through me.
I was just saying to myself how I need to do better with being on time and then
I get your email. Thanks I know that God was talking to me
Right on time, Glynnis. Right on time!
My husband and I were just talking about this over the weekend. Our pastor taught us lateness is sin. It’s prideful and selfish, in that we express (albeit inadvertently) we value our own time above that of others. From reading this post, I’m realizing I too put way more into my schedule than I should, and I need to be more realistic about how long things will take. In all the years I’ve shopped at Target, for example, I think I’ve only made it out of there a handful of times in less than 15 minutes. This makes my DH just shake his head at me.
As I’ve journey through the haze known as menopause, I’ve gotten BETTER at being on time to events/appointments — I’m nearly always on time — but I’m far less efficient at getting things done such as shopping. Even with all my lists and post-it notes, I just don’t function quite like I used to. Planning/completing an event like a dinner party is SUCH a chore now! I am slowly coming to terms with my ‘new normal.’
Thanks for your wonderful blog. I subscribe via email, but nearly always click over to read! You are an inspiration for this ‘older’ woman!
“A productive but unhurried life…” – I like that.
Have a great week, Glynnis.
Jennifer Dougan
http://www.jenniferdougan.com
I’m also trying to discover how to have a “productive, but unhurried, life”.
In your Roo article I have found what you shared here to be my motivation to be on time and plan less in my schedule.
” Increases my ability to love: When I’m in a hurry, my capacity to love others diminishes. It starts with those closest to me as I get snippy and impatient. But showing up late also prohibits me from spending time with others. If I sneak in the back after something has started, I’ve lost opportunities to chat and catch up with people I care about. Just a few extra minutes gives me a chance to give someone a hug and ask about her children. It’s amazing how loved people feel with a bit of time and attention.”
I desire to let God use me in the lives of others, if I’m always rushing I don’t get to know others needs, nor be blessed by them, neither am I demonstrating love if it’s caused me to be snippy etc..
Thank you for the reminder and tips!
I am rarely late to anything, but many times make it to an event “just in time.” This is fine when it’s a meeting but I realized that when I got to church at the last minute I wasn’t “into” church until I’d gotten settled, so often didn’t enjoy the first song, greetings, etc. We live 30 minutes from church, and I used to give myself 30 minutes to get there. For the last few months I’ve made sure we leave 45 minutes before church starts. This allows us to get into church, greet friends, read the bulletin, and say a prayer for God to bless our time at church. I’ve been enjoying church a lot more since we’ve done this and plan to continue it!
I’m like you with shopping and errands; they often take much longer than I expect and then I don’t get home to get the things I expect to done. I try to plan to do all of my “in town” errands on the same day since we live 20 miles from town. I’ve started to do important “at home” tasks done before I go so that I can take my time shopping, visit with friends I see, stop in another store, etc.
God has given us such a blessing in time…but I think it’s the easiest blessing to squander if we are not careful. Thanks for making me think about it!