Dr LeCrone
03-30-2006, 08:23 AM
Tardiness is a problem that affects many people and their social acceptance as well as their work performance. Once a person has realized he is predisposed to being late, but wishes to correct the habit, there are ways he can increase his attention to time.
First, a person should analyze his reasons for being late. An introspective study may reveal strong psychological reasons, or the explanation may be simpler.
If the tardiness is a long-term problem that presents significant difficulties, professional counseling may be needed to sort out the roots of this difficulty.
Last week I talked about two people, John and Mary. John was insecure and tardy to work because he feared a confrontation with his employer and other employees. Mary was late to meetings because she wanted to demonstrate her power and authority. Most of us will be able to sort through our reasons for being late and know which event is the cause for most of the tardiness.
For some people, being late results from something as simple as turning off the alarm clock and going back to sleep in the morning. I once had a college roommate who put his alarm clock in the top of the closet at night so he would have to walk across the room and climb on a chair to shut it off. This practice ensured he was awake and changed his habit of being tardy to class.
Other people have used answering services to walk them up if they sleep through the alarm. Other solutions include plugging in the coffee maker the night before so the aroma of freshly perked coffee will stimulate you to rise.
Some people may get up on time but forget appointments during the day. Making notes during the previous night and putting them on a card in a dress or coat pocket will remind you to stay on the day’s schedule.
For those who work with people who are always late, one suggestion is to tell them meetings start 10 to 15 minutes before the actual starting time.
If they persist in being tardy, they may be having in a passively aggressive manner or have some other more serious explanation. In that case, sitting down with the person and talking about the problem may be the only answer.
Business and industry have used methods of reward and recognition for prompt attendance. Unfortunately, the employee who is habitually late to work may be the employee who will be terminated. Certainly promptness is a factor included in every employee appraisal.
Schools try to correct the student’s habit of tardiness. Teachers must keep attendance records and make note of every time a student is absent from or tardy to class. After a student is late for a set number of times, the student usually must face prescribed consequences.
Chronic lateness often is offensive to those who must wait for the tardy person. Frequently, tardiness is perceived as poor manners, lack of regard for others and even irresponsibility. Certainly tardiness should be looked at carefully to see if improvement is needed.
Harold H. LeCrone, Jr., Ph.D. Copyright 1987
First, a person should analyze his reasons for being late. An introspective study may reveal strong psychological reasons, or the explanation may be simpler.
If the tardiness is a long-term problem that presents significant difficulties, professional counseling may be needed to sort out the roots of this difficulty.
Last week I talked about two people, John and Mary. John was insecure and tardy to work because he feared a confrontation with his employer and other employees. Mary was late to meetings because she wanted to demonstrate her power and authority. Most of us will be able to sort through our reasons for being late and know which event is the cause for most of the tardiness.
For some people, being late results from something as simple as turning off the alarm clock and going back to sleep in the morning. I once had a college roommate who put his alarm clock in the top of the closet at night so he would have to walk across the room and climb on a chair to shut it off. This practice ensured he was awake and changed his habit of being tardy to class.
Other people have used answering services to walk them up if they sleep through the alarm. Other solutions include plugging in the coffee maker the night before so the aroma of freshly perked coffee will stimulate you to rise.
Some people may get up on time but forget appointments during the day. Making notes during the previous night and putting them on a card in a dress or coat pocket will remind you to stay on the day’s schedule.
For those who work with people who are always late, one suggestion is to tell them meetings start 10 to 15 minutes before the actual starting time.
If they persist in being tardy, they may be having in a passively aggressive manner or have some other more serious explanation. In that case, sitting down with the person and talking about the problem may be the only answer.
Business and industry have used methods of reward and recognition for prompt attendance. Unfortunately, the employee who is habitually late to work may be the employee who will be terminated. Certainly promptness is a factor included in every employee appraisal.
Schools try to correct the student’s habit of tardiness. Teachers must keep attendance records and make note of every time a student is absent from or tardy to class. After a student is late for a set number of times, the student usually must face prescribed consequences.
Chronic lateness often is offensive to those who must wait for the tardy person. Frequently, tardiness is perceived as poor manners, lack of regard for others and even irresponsibility. Certainly tardiness should be looked at carefully to see if improvement is needed.
Harold H. LeCrone, Jr., Ph.D. Copyright 1987