Where You Fit On The Lateness Scale?

1. When I’m not working at it, the surface of my desk:

a) Is always completely clear

b) Is sorted and tidy

c) Is usually piled with papers

2. When I go to a regular activity or class:

a) I always get there early (unless something exceptional happens)

b) I aim to get there early, and usually arrive in good time

c) I aim to arrive at the start time, but sometimes I’m late

3. If something unexpected happens to interrupt my work schedule:

a) I like to be in control of my schedule and hate it to be disrupted

b) I don’t mind being flexible if it’s something important

c) I rather enjoy the distraction, and hope I can still catch up on my scheduled work

4. If I’m expecting a visitor, and they don’t arrive on time:

a) I get annoyed, as I think it’s rude to be late

b) I don’t really mind if they’re a bit late

c) I’m pleased, because I manage to get lot done in those extra minutes

5. When doing domestic chores:

a) I have a regular routine which I follow with little variation

b) I generally follow the same routine, but can change this if necessary

c) I don’t have a regular routine

6. When working out how long it will take to do a job:

a) I’m more likely to allow too much time

b) I’m pretty accurate in estimating how long things take

c) I sometimes find I haven’t left enough time

7. When I go on vacation:

a) My bag is packed several days beforehand, apart from toiletries etc.

b) My bag is always packed and ready in good time on the day of departure

c) I don’t usually manage to close my bag until almost the last minute

8. When I’m doing a job or hobby which creates a mess:

a) I really look forward to putting everything away again

b) I normally clear up everything when I’ve finished

c) I don’t look forward to clearing up, and sometimes I put it off

9. If someone has offered to pick me up from home:

a) I like to be ready and waiting by the door 10 mins before they arrive, in case they are early

b) I’m always completely ready by the time we agreed

c) I’m often not quite ready, when they arrive to pick me up

10. If I’m given a job with a long deadline:

a) I would get the job finished early, so it is out of the way

b) I plan my work so that it is comfortably finished and checked by the deadline

c) I am usually working hard, right up to the cut-off point

Where you fit on the lateness scale?

Mostly A's

You get very irritated by people who are late, and can’t understand why they don’t fix the problem. You plan your time carefully, and can get obsessive about the need to be early. You are probably finding it difficult to live with someone who is always late. If you want to understand why people are late, and learn some strategies to help you manage the negative impact on your life, browse the partner section of this site. If you want to know more, read the book LATE!.

Mostly B's

You are well-organized and don’t find it difficult to be on time. You would think it a waste of time to be early for everything. You can get frustrated with people who hold you up because they are late. The majority of the population are like you. You struggle to understand the A’s and C’s in your life. Browse this site to get some perspective on other people’s issues with punctuality. If you want to learn more, read the book LATE! A Timebender's guide to why we are late and how we can change.

Mostly C's

You don’t enjoy being late, and would like to arrive on time ALL the time. Unless you have an important appointment, you rarely arrive early. You are late more often than you like to admit. You believe you get a lot more done at the last minute than people who are always early and waiting around, doing nothing. Browse this site for more insights into your behavior, and to find practical ways to improve your relationship with time. If you want to learn more, read LATE! A Timebender's guide to why we are late and how we can change.