I’ve found that people generally fall into two categories: those who are consistently on time and those who are chronically late. Since I’m an on-time kind of gal, it’s hard for me to understand how an individual can be late, time and time again. I just can’t imagine layering that much additional stress on my life.

With that thought in mind, here are 5 approaches to use if you’re chronically late.

5 Ways to Get There on Time

1. Don’t try to squeeze in that “one last thing.” I bet I’m as busy as you are, but I don’t even think about making that one last call or responding to that one last email before I head off to a meeting because I know it will make me late.

2. Schedule enough time to get there. Rather than basing your travel time on best-case scenario, factor in a few extra minutes to allow for the real world. Then add that travel time into your calendar schedule when you book the meeting.

3. Keep important things in an important place. If you find yourself looking for key items on your way out the door, establish a place in your home and in your office to keep those items. You should be able to just pick them up without wasting a second of time.

4. End meetings on time. It’s impossible to get to your next scheduled event, if a previous one runs over. If that happens consistently, let others know that you’ll have to leave at the scheduled end time of the meeting. And then do it.

5. If you must arrive late, don’t conduct a grand performance. If, in spite of your good intentions, you still arrive after the meeting has started, enter quietly without fanfare. You owe that respect to those who figured out how to arrive on time.