Being late infrequently is understandable. However, if you’re someone who believes that being fashionably late means always arriving 15 minutes late, our Credence Innovations executives caution that you might be sabotaging your reputation.

When you’re chronically tardy, our Credence Innovations professionals suggest that you are sending the message to others that you are disorganized, unreliable, and fail to value others’ time. This can cost you multiple opportunities in the long run.

Now, our Credence Innovations experts realize that most people do not intend to be late. It’s often a matter of habits that need to be broken. There are two ways to accomplish this. The first requires better time management. Start by noting the time that you are expected to arrive at a location. Now, determine the travel distance. Add in time to park your car and walk to the location. Allow yourself a 10-minute buffer for unexpected delays. This is the total time it will take you to get to your destination. Use this to set your alarm for when you need to leave your house (or wherever you are departing from).

The second practice is to understand how long it takes you to get ready, so time your activities. If you are someone who is always rushing out the door, consider preparing the night before or earlier in the day.

Being early tells others you’ve got it together.