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Are you that person who is always frustratingly late to events? Do you plan to get to work early, only to realise that you are somehow arriving at the exact same time – late?
Well new research has shed some light on exactly why you can’t seem to get your shit together.
A team of psychologists has determined that there is a simple explanation for those of you who are chronically late: People underestimate timing.
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This behaviour, which now has the science-y term “planning fallacy”, is explained as “a strong tendency to chronically underestimate task completion,” according to The Wall Street Journal’s health columnist Sumathi Reddy.
And, while it may sound like this would be a simple behaviour to fix, planning fallacy is one of the most difficult patterns to change.
“There are all sorts of disincentives and punishments for being late, and the paradox is we’re late even when those punishments and consequences exist," Justin Kruger, a social psychologist at New York University's School of Business told Reddy.
Research also suggests that people who are members of the frequently-late club underestimate timing by up to 40 per cent.
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Adding to the problem is that being late is not just your problem. It becomes an issue for your colleagues, your boss, your family and friends. And we all know that, whether you're one minute or one hour late, there's no way that a plane will wait on the tarmac for you - no matter how famous/interesting/apologetic you might be.
Another linkable trait is that latecomers are often also multitaskers. In other words, those of us who insist on trying to cram as much in as we humanly can, even if it just isn't humanly possible. So, note to self: when it seems like it might take longer than you thought, chances are it will.
Don't despair though. According to clinical social worker Lisa Bernstein there are a few simple things you can do to get yourself there on time:
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Do you arrive on time or are you always late? Do you have any tips you'd like to add?
