If you, like me, struggle with time management, transitioning between activities and guessing how much time a given task is going to take — you’re likely no stranger to running late. Late to the bus, late to pick up dry cleaning, late to drinks with friends — you name it, I’ve missed it. Ask my mom: I was literally born a week late. I delayed my own due date because I wasn’t done chilling.
While I think our culture’s emphasis on speed and efficiency is just capitalism, I do know that some things need to happen at the time they’re scheduled. I also know that my life is easier when I’m not getting scolded for making everyone wait for me.
And so, in an effort to make my life run smoother, I’ve spent the last few years learning not to be late to everything. As I like to say, it’s never too late to start being early. Ok, I’ve never said that before now. But I do believe it. Well, “early” may be cutting it close...let’s say, it’s never too late to start being on time.
Of course, I did not wake up one morning with the gift of punctuality and it remains a daily feat to manage my time. I’ve learned some tricks that have helped me a bunch and certainly have some tools that have changed my time game for the better. Here is my list of everything that’s helped me pump the promptness and hopefully it can help you too.
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Amazon Echo dot
Listen, I too felt... bad about letting Jeff Bezos into my home but this year, an ADHD content creator finally convinced me to get an Echo dot and boy howdy, it's the best thing I've ever used for time. Because I have no internal sense of time, the only thing that helps is external timers. I used to use my phone for this, but being able to hands-free shout for a timer to be set has been a game changer. Generally during the day, I'll consistently have back-to-back 15-minute timers go off, just to show myself that that time has passed. I set timers for meetings, for how long I have to get ready, when I need to leave the house and even for little periods of screen-free rest during the day.
If I'm not wearing my watch, I can ask what time it is, have her remind me of birthdays and trash day and important events. It also can play music and podcasts, which you can verbally stop, start and control the volume. I resisted for so long and I wish I hadn't. I have three around my house and they all sync up. This way, I can hear music everywhere or set a timer in the kitchen (and then inevitably forget about it) and get a reminder when I go read a book in my bedroom.
Time Timer
One of my favorite HuffPost stories I've written was interviewing ADHD experts about time management. Liz Lewis, an ADHD coach and founder of Healthy ADHD put me on to the Time Timer, a visual timer that uses a pie-chart-like circle depleting as the minutes pass. "The Time Timer allows you to see time passing," Lewish previously told HuffPost. "You're more likely to start and then persist when you have a very obvious time constraint."
Time Timer is silent as it passes time (i.e. no annoying tick) and can be set up to ring when time is up or remain silent. At $20 a pop, I have tried other, cheaper, timers and have always been sourly disappointed. The real deal Time Timer is easy to use, isn't an eye sore, is so clear to read and gives an effective visual of time passing. I don't have kids myself, but I imagine it's also a great tool for little ones who can't tell time yet.
Kasa smart plugs
A top-selling item at HuffPost, Kasa smart plugs feel like another no-brainer for saving you time. Simply plug them into any outlet in your home and transform that into a "smart" outlet that you can control via your phone or voice and even set to turn on and off at specific times. Never stress about turning off your lights or hair straightener again. Never run back to your house to be sure your space heater is off. They'll help you get out the door in a more streamlined fashion, without stopping in every room to turn everything off and can help you with peace of mind when you're out of the house, letting you double-check everything from afar.
Apple AirPods
Like most people, I love listening to music and podcasts. Yet, until recently, I didn't realize how helpful background sounds could be in keeping me on track with time. When I'm getting ready to leave the house, AirPods have become a must, letting me freely move (even away from my phone) while still listening to some tunes or an audiobook. Something about having music on helps me grab all the things I need and most importantly, to keep it moving, without getting sucked into an unfinished project in another room. Unlike cheaper rival brands, Apple AirPods magically connect to all your favorite devices and seamlessly switch between your MacBook, iPhone and tablet. And they use the same charger as your phone, so that’s one less wire to get tangled in your big knot of plugs.
Extra chargers
Do you know how much time you would save if you never needed to look for a phone charger again? I do! I've said it before, baby, I am charger-rich. Joy, or at least, less stress is having a phone charger in every room and even some extra ones to take with you on the go, so you never need to look for one as you're leaving the house. One of my favorite ADHD content creators got me into buying bulk packs of chargers WITH the blocks, so I literally never stress about where my charger is or if a charger breaks or where the damn block is when I only have a cable. I have a specific charger for my office that never leaves and is always there, one for my bedroom, one in the living room, one at my partner's house, one in the car and a couple extra floaters. Truly, it saves time and stress.
Plus, chargers for your computer too
This is also the case for my computer charger, of which I will always have at least two. (And I go for the knock-off cheapies). One lives in my work bag and goes out and about with me and one lives in my home office, so it never moves and is always there. I just got a third to have it in another room of my home where I often work, so I never need to move furniture and disrupt things to plug in a charger. Seriously, the multiple charger life is a happy, streamlined life. It saves me so much time running around, moving things and worrying about where my charger is. Also, if you or someone's pet nibbles on one, you don't have to have a full meltdown. Just pull out your spare.
A three-in-one charging station
Another way to save time? Charge everything at once. This handy option charges your iPhone, Apple Watch and AirPods simultaneously, cleaning up your counter or bedside table and nixing the need for many cables. Heads up: Be sure to clip the on-page coupon before adding it to your cart for an extra 20% off. The savings will show up at checkout.
Apple AirTags
Perhaps you find yourself running late because the minute you need to leave, you realize you have no idea where you wallet or keys are. We got you. The genius Apple AirTag is like a tiny tracker you can put almost anywhere. It can ping its own location, so when you attach it to one of your belongings, you can track it via Apple’s Find My app. You can even tell your AirTag to play a sound when you're looking for it so it’s easier to find.
A compact hall tree by the door
When I interviewed Julie Lause, Chief of Schools at Crescent City Schools in New Orleans, Louisiana and parenting content creator at The Bossy House, I learned the power of the entryway, or what Lause calls the "Command Center." For chronically late people, this is a make-it or break-it zone. Having an organized spot right by the door for things that are constantly used outside (dog leashes, umbrellas, etc.), things used with mail (stamps, letter opener, etc.), things going out of the house (signed papers, mail that needs to be sent, reusable grocery bags) and really everything else can totally transform how you exist in your home and save you so much time when coming and going. I have a DIY setup of a small table, a shoe rack, and some mail trays, but something like this highly-rated hall tree is a great option too (for under $100!)
A key ring
It sounds so basic, and yet, ask me why I couldn't find my keys for the better part of my life. (It's because I didn't have a set spot for them). Whether you make a full command center or not, I cannot stress to you how important having a set key hook literally on my door frame has been to saving me time. I don't have a cute or fancy little key thing. Literally, it's just a Command hook, but because it's such a small and stick-able hook, I have it on the door frame, almost forcing me to hang my keys the minute I get in the house. If you've tried key bowls and hangers and they've all failed, I would really suggest a Command strip somewhere so obnoxiously in the way. It's saved me endlessly hours searching for my keys.
The best key hooks of all time
A DIY cold brew maker
Save time making coffee and get your morning started off right with this highly-rated home cold brew maker. This adorable container looks like a vintage mason jar but actually is a dishwasher-safe, easy-brew cold brew maker. It has thousands of 5-star reviews and is a top seller here at HuffPost, probably because it's good-looking and super functional. Simply put your ground beans in the filter, pour in water, let it brew, then take out the beans and filter — and you're good to go. The leak-proof lid will keep your drink fresh and the handle makes it easy to pour from. It will cut your morning coffee prep time down and help you reach the rest of your day with pep.
A fridge white board
A giant calendar
Another tip that feels so simple but really is so helpful is keeping a paper calendar somewhere in a common area of your home. Yes, you may have everything on your phone, but if you're a visual person or if you struggle with double-booking or over-booking, I suggest trying an old-school calendar. I love this super chic option from West Elm that you'll actually love looking at.
Or, a budget-friendly calendar option
This budget-friendly acrylic calendar is magnet-backed to stick on your fridge (or any magnetic metal surface) and comes with eight colorful markers. It looks great filled out or not and can be a helpful central reminder of what your week is looking like.
Lastly and perhaps most obviously, a really good watch
I have never been a watch guy and really had lost all hope of ever becoming one until getting this little guy in a goodie bag from a party and fell in love. It's a vintage-inspired Casio that's so lightweight and small, you forget you're wearing it. The Casio F91W-1 has the time (duh) but also the date and you can set an alarm on it and it has a backlight and a stopwatch feature. The brand says they don't recommend wearing it in the water, but I do shower with it and have never had a problem. The battery lasts for seven years which, is pretty good for something that cost less than $20.
Truly, this is the anti-watch wearer's watch. It's really so straightforward, and if you, like me, sometimes realize you have a watch on, hate how it feels, take it off and then leave it somewhere — it does not break the bank to replace it, which I have done! And likely will again. Having a watch at all has been a huge help with time, the date is so helpful and I, of course, set all my clocks (watches included) 15-17 minutes fast, to always give me a buffer.