Chronic tardiness is known to be a common nuisance, and experts agree that it often causes strain on relationships.
And for those who struggle with being on time, poor planning may not be the only reason.
Psychotherapist and author Jonathan Alpert told FOX News Digital: chronic lateness It often stems from a combination of psychological patterns and neurobiological factors that people don’t realize are influencing them.
Are you always late? Experts say a mental health condition could be to blame.
“For some people, it’s a personality thing. They’re distracted, they’re optimistic about how long things will take, or they just don’t pay attention to the impact on others,” the New York-based expert said.
For others, the problem stems from neurobiological differences in how they affect each other. controlled by the brain time.
That can make it difficult to estimate how long a task will take or transition from one activity to the next, leading to chronic tardiness, Alpert said.
In addition to schedule disruptions, chronic tardiness can also occur. tense relationship And it creates tension.
“Being late undermines trust. Over time, you send a message, even if you didn’t mean it, that other people’s time isn’t as important,” Alpert said.
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Tardiness can also be a problem at work, and repeated tardiness can undermine teamwork and damage your reputation.
These patterns are often person with ADHDThey often experience so-called “time blindness”, which makes it difficult for them to appreciate how quickly the minutes pass or how long a task actually takes.
According to the Attention Deficit Disorder Association, ADHD is strongly associated with difficulties with executive functioning, the skills needed to stay organized, plan ahead, and focus on important details.
Experts agree that when these abilities weaken, it becomes more difficult to measure time, stick to schedules, and meet deadlines, which can impact personal and professional relationships.
Anxiety, avoidance, and perfectionism are common patterns among people who tend to be late, Alpert said.
“Most people who are chronically late don’t mean to be rude. feel overwhelmed and anxious Or they try to cram too much into too little time,” he said.
these emotional patterns It often manifests itself in different ways. Alpert says anxiety can make it difficult for some people to start even simple tasks, leaving them behind schedule before the day even begins.
For others, the struggle occurs in the in-between moments. Transitioning from one activity to another can be surprisingly uncomfortable, so you may find yourself lingering longer than you intended and losing time without realizing it.
Alpert said some people are so detail-oriented that they keep making adjustments and “just one more touch” over time because they’re perfectionists.
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Another big factor, experts said, is that many people simply misjudge how long a task will take. Their internal sense of time is often imprecise, leading them to believe they can fit far more time into a day than is realistically possible.
Alpert often recommends that his clients perform a simple “time audit.” It’s about tracking how long you think your daily tasks will take and actually timing them. This could help rebuild a more accurate body clock, he said.
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“By allowing 10 to 15 minutes between activities, you reduce the rush that leads to chronic tardiness,” he said.
Despite the problems that being late poses, people don’t have to stick to these habits forever, Alpert says. With the right support and a consistent strategy, meaningful change is possible.
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“Strong routines, alarms, checklists, and accurate time estimates compensate for traits that don’t go away on their own,” he added.
If you feel that being late is affecting your daily life or relationships, you may benefit from discussing your concerns. medical worker; medical institution or a mental health professional.
