Repeated Lateness – Self-Saboteur

 Do you often arrive late to appointments, commitments, or seldom complete tasks on schedule? 

Being late can seem like a small thing that does not matter. However, it communications volumes to yourself and others, whether you mean it to or not. Being kept waiting is an experience almost no one relishes, because at best, it wastes time and at worst, it indicates a lack of regard not only to the other person, but, also, yourself.   

It is as if you are saying that your time is more important than their time, therefore, you do not need to honor them by showing up when you said you would. When you are running late, it means a lot if you call and tell the person, especially if it will be more than ten minutes.  However, when you are repeatedly late, it will take more than a phone call to properly address the issue.

 When it is a habit of being late, you need to look inside yourself and discover what is promoting such disregard to yourself and others. It is easy to make excuses about your behavior, or to project responsibility on the other person, perceiving that he/she is uptight if he/she is upset when you are late. What is more difficult, and more meaningful, is looking at yourself and asking, ‘Why is it that I am late, or often late?  

Sometimes lateness can be attributed to wanting to please everyone and thereby, putting too many things on your ‘commitment’ list and then being unable to manage everything. Or it can be a lack of self-regard, as if you are not really important, so, ‘No one will care if I am late or do not show up.’ Repeated lateness can also stem from being disorganized or wanting to do it all. Another reason for lateness is that you do not really want to be there or do it. You communicate your disinterest or lack of respect by not showing up.

No matter your reasons, if you raise your awareness to what you are denying you are doing, you have an opportunity to live a more conscious life. As you begin to understand the real reason behind your inability to show up on time, you have the option to communicate clearly and consciously about how you feel, rather than communicating to yourself and others deceptively. 

Addressing repeated lateness helps you to honor both yourself and others and to reestablish your integrity.  

Dorothy M. Neddermeyer, PhD, Metaphysician – Certified Hypnosis Practitioner, Author and Speaker. Dr. Dorothy facilitates clearing blocks, fears and limiting beliefs. You can live the life you desire. She brings awareness to concepts not typically obvious to one’s thoughts and feelings. https://drdorothy.net