Every morning, around 8:15am, I feel as if I could win the Daytona 500. I weave in and out of traffic like nobody’s business. I live pretty close to where I work, in a downtown area, so my speed never really gets past 45mph – but still – I think I do Tony Stewart proud.
The point of this post, however, is not for me to brag about my driving skills. It’s to talk about why people like me, who are always running behind and can’t seem to make it anywhere early, are they way that we are. What is it about me that makes me a last minute person?
I have heard theories that say people who are late get a thrill out of the scurry to get where they are going. An adrenaline rush, if you will. This is not the case with me. The only thing I feel is stressed. I have also heard people say that “late comers” are selfish people who think that their time is more valuable than everyone else’s. This is also not the case with me. I really don’t feel like my time is more valuable than my dog’s time, so that isn’t it.
Needing other possible reasons why I am the way that I am, I went in search of more information. What I found was an interesting article that talks about chronically late people. The article references a book, called “Never Be Late Again: 7 Cures for the Punctually Challenged” which places late people into seven categories. The categories are:
- The rationalizer – has a hard time acknowledging responsibility for lateness and tends to blame outside circumstances.
- The producer – wants to squeeze as much into every minute as possible; they are always busy.
- The deadliner – subconsciously enjoys the last-minute sprint to the finish line; they feel more alive when running out of time.
- The indulger – exercises less self-control; tends to procrastinate.
- The rebel – resists authority and everyday rules; might run late as a form of control.
- The absent-minded professor – is easily distracted, forgetful and caught up in their own introspection.
- The evader – feels anxiety about his or her environment and tries to control it; their own needs or routine come before being on time.
Yikes, I think I’m a combination of “the producer” and “the indulger.” In the past few weeks, I have done much better about being on time, but I’d like to be able to do it without the weaving in an out of traffic and the saying of prayers for green lights. Perhaps I will mosey over to Amazon and purchase that book.
thetightropeblog.com 
I like to think of it as being a "girl" thing — I don't mean to be late, but I am usually about 5 minutes late even if I get up early. Maybe it is just our nature 🙂
my aunt ingrained in me to 'never be later than 10 minutes early'.
Ooh, I always knew there was a reason for me being late to everything. I think I'm a rationalizer-I just blame Greg. 🙂 And when I'm late for work, it's because I got stuck behind those dang slow school buses!
Call it fashionably late. However for some reason the working world does not understand that. I for one have been forever late!! I agree with Elizabeth, it must be our nature!
I am a rebel, just like Tom Petty.- DF
Interesting. I'm a producer. If I just fold and put away this load of laundry before I go I won't have to come home to it later or I'm going to wipe off these counters before I leave because I don't want to come home to dirty counters. Its getting better since DD is an on time person. I think anything under 10 minutes late is still on time though. Hope DD doesn't read this comment.
I'm just late – I never have a decent excuse. Loved this!