If you’ve ever felt like the famous White Rabbit in Alice in Wonderland, racing from place to place and never quite arriving on time, this information might help. As a reformed “tardy” person, I’m all-too-familiar with that sinking feeling that — despite my best intentions — I’m going to be late to the meeting.

In the early years of running our business, I always tried to do “just one more thing” before I jumped into the car to drive to a meeting. As the clock ticked toward my planned departure time, I would hurry to make one more phone call, send one last email or have one quick conversation with a staff member. Inevitably, I left the office five minutes late and allowed no leeway for time delays caused by pesky traffic issues — like interminably long trains or malfunctioning stoplights.

Sitting in line behind a stalled car in busy traffic one morning, I was experiencing one of those “I’m-going-to-be-late moments” when one of my favorite KMUW commentators began talking directly to me over the radio. “If you are always late to meetings, you are telling your business associates they aren’t important,” she said, catching my attention. “You are demonstrating that you believe your time is more valuable than theirs.”

“Whoa. Is that what I’m doing?” I replied aloud. “That is not my intention.”

I listened carefully to the remainder of the program and vowed I would never again be late. For me, the thought of disrespecting others was enough incentive to begin a new habit of early arrival.

Since that day, I’ve accumulated additional research that further validates my commitment. The fact is, meetings are a big part of the business world. When you’re in business, you are in meetings. According to CIO Insight Magazine, senior executives spend the most time in meetings – an average of 16 hours a week with at least three other employees. That’s a lot of time.

If a meeting is productive, it may be time well spent. But, what about those meetings that waste valuable time because people arrive late or unprepared? This happens far more often than it should.

A two-week study by the Harvard Business Review found that only 10% of meetings start on time. On average, the 90% of meetings that begin late are starting at least 12 minutes behind schedule.

Waiting...

Sometimes technology causes the delay. Thirty-four percent of conference calls and online meetings start late because of technical difficulties – either new software downloads are required to join the meeting or attendees don’t know how to join.

However, all too often, a room full of people sits waiting for just a few stragglers who habitually show up late. Multiply the 12 lost minutes by the number of people in the room and the unproductive time can be costly.

The good news is, it’s easy to be on time. Of all the business challenges you might face, this one is simple to address.

Here are five things I do, to make sure I’m never late for meetings:

Prepare in advance.

If I’m bringing something to the meeting, I prepare it the day before – including making copies. Otherwise, the copier will be out of paper or ink, causing unanticipated delays.

 Include travel time on the calendar.

If a meeting begins at 11:30, I plan to be there by 11:15. I schedule a departure time that assures an early arrival.

 Think about others.

I go through a list of meeting participants and make it a point to remember how much I value their time. I want them to know they are important to me.

 Avoid last-minute distractions.

When it’s time to leave the building, I leave the building. I walk away from the urge to accept a phone call or send an email. Nothing is more important than getting to the meeting on time.

 Plan the journey.

Before I get into my car, I know what route I will take and where I will park. I always have an alternate in mind in case of an unexpected road detour or traffic delay.

If you want to show your respect for others, relieve your own stress level and save your company money, you have the power to make it happen.

Try it. Leave the office just a little earlier for your next meeting.