🛑 Why You’re Always Running Late (And How to Fix It for Good)

Do you constantly find yourself running late, rushing out the door, and barely making it on time? You’re not alone.

It’s something so many of us struggle with, but here’s the thing: running late isn’t just about a lack of time. It’s often the result of small habits or routines that are working against us.

The good news? There are simple changes you can make to break the cycle, and they don’t require overhauling your entire day.

Why You’re Always Running Late (And How to Fix It for Good)

I had a friend once who was late every.single.time. We finally assigned her desserts at the church potlucks since she never arrived until the middle of service…

I saw a bit on Dr. Phil’s show where he said (paraphrasing) that being late ALL THE TIME is a sign of arrogance.

No one can be late EVERY.SINGLE.TIME. – he said with the law of averages you’d have to be on-time sometimes.

If not, then you’re doing something to make sure you’re late and you’re deeming that more important than the people waiting on you.

Basically, that YOU’RE more important than the people waiting on you = arrogance.

Let’s dive into why this keeps happening and how you can fix it for good.

1. You’re Underestimating How Long Things Take

Ever told yourself “I’ve got plenty of time” only to realize you’re running late? This happens when we underestimate how long it takes to get ready or finish tasks. Whether it’s getting dressed, packing lunch, or making breakfast, we tend to think we can do it all in record time.

Fix It: Try setting a timer for each task you need to do in the morning. It’ll help you get a better sense of how long each part of your routine really takes, and then you can plan accordingly.

2. You’re Not Preparing the Night Before

Mornings are a rush if you haven’t prepped anything the night before. From picking out clothes to packing bags, not having things ready adds unnecessary stress and time delays.

Fix It: Spend 10 minutes before bed getting ready for the next day. Lay out your clothes, pack your bag, and even prep breakfast or lunch. This small step will save you time in the morning and keep you on track.

3. You’re Getting Distracted by Your Phone

It’s easy to get distracted scrolling through social media or checking emails, but those minutes quickly add up. Before you know it, you’re running behind and can’t figure out where the time went.

Fix It: Set a phone timer for 5 minutes when you wake up, and stick to it. Once it goes off, put your phone down and focus on getting ready. If you can avoid distractions first, you’ll be on a much smoother path.

4. You’re Trying to Do Too Much in the Morning

Trying to cram everything into your morning routine can leave you feeling overwhelmed and, inevitably, late. We all have a to-do list, but trying to fit it all in before 9 a.m. isn’t sustainable.

Fix It: Streamline your morning routine by cutting out unnecessary tasks or delegating them. Can someone else help with breakfast or packing lunches? The fewer tasks you have to handle in the morning, the easier it’ll be to stay on schedule.

5. You’re Rushing to Meet an Unrealistic Schedule

Rushing always makes things feel worse, and sometimes it’s because we’ve created a schedule that’s impossible to meet. Trying to fit in “just one more thing” before leaving the house often causes the stress that leads to running late.

Fix It: Be realistic with your time. Give yourself a buffer by adding an extra 10 minutes to your morning. That way, if something takes longer than expected, you won’t fall behind.

Keep in mind you’re teaching your children to be stressed and late all the time setting them up for the same problems you’re having with time.

Fixing it for you – fixes it for them.

The Bottom Line

If you’re tired of feeling stressed out every morning, making small tweaks to your routine can make all the difference.

By giving yourself a little extra time, being prepared the night before, and staying focused, you’ll find yourself running on time—no more frantic mornings.