How To Be Systematically Late
I used to be systematically early. I really didn’t want to inconvenience people by being late, so I’d go with upper bounds on activity duration and plan to arrive on time anyway. I would think more about how I can read a book or go for a walk if I arrive 15+ minutes early.
If you’re not 5 minutes early, you’re late.
I’ve since then tried to learn how to let myself at least arrive a few minutes late, closer to “just on time”, and have unlocked the secrets as to how to systematically arrive late.
It’s very simple.
- Try to do as much as possible before leaving.
- Remember, you can get more done before the winter gloves are on!
- Determine to get ready as fast as possible.
- We improve with practice: maybe this time will be smoother than the last!
- Run with lower bound estimates on every step to get ready.
- Everything will go at least as well as I think it can!
The most important ingredient is number one: prioritize doing as much as possible over arriving on time.
I wonder how difficult it will be to return to arriving on time as desired. Doing “a little bit more” is really seductive 😂