Fashionably Late?

People joke about being fashionably late, but in the fashion industry, there is no such thing. Constantly tardy? Showing up late is completely unprofessional and can tarnish your reputation as well as lose you jobs. The problem is, in a world as hectic as ours, it’s easier to make excuses than it is to make punctuality a priority. I’ve learned some hard lessons in this category and I want to share some useful advice so that you don’t ever have to be late again!      My father always taught me that being on time is being late. Barely making an appointment makes it appear like you have better things to do. That being said, don’t arrive too early either.Fifteen minutes early shows that you are eager to be a part of something but not desperate. Don’t aim to be on time, aim to be early.      The best way to arrive at an appointment in a timely manner is to be realistic. Does it take twenty minutes to get to your appointment? Take into account that there may be a wreck, you may spill coffee on yourself while walking out the door, or maybe you have to stop for gas. Little things add up, so giving yourself only enough time is downright dumb. Set an alarm on your phone fifteen minutes earlier then you “need” to leave. This will keep you from losing track of time. It will also allow you some wiggle room in case of a minor setback.       Being on time isn’t only important in business situations. Showing up late to meet a friend conveys disrespect and selfishness. Even if that isn’t your intention, it’s how you come across. Instead of meeting at a certain time, try agreeing on a time for each of you to leave your house. This takes away the pressure and stress of possibly disappointing a friend.       Excessive tardiness has serious consequences. It’s simple to have a professional appearance if you just put in a little effort. Try padding your schedule with extra time between appointments. Give yourself at least an extra 10 minutes to make it to every meeting. Simple preparations like this can save you a lot of wasted time stressing while running late. It will also make people feel like they can depend on you both in and out of the workplace.