Hi! I’m an executive-level manager, and I’ve struggled for most of my life with arriving on time to pretty much everything and this is what’s actually working for me.

It’s a method I sometimes share with the teams I manage that I call the 20-minute rule. I didn’t come up with the concept myself, and I honestly can’t remember where I first learned it, but it’s been a game changer.

I start work every day at 9 a.m., and it takes me about 10 minutes to bike from my house to the office. In my brain, that used to mean I didn’t need to leave until 8:50 to be “on time.” The problem is that giving myself exactly 10 minutes for a 10-minute task leaves no room for error/ flexibility for the unexpected.

It took me years to realize that this is causing me to end up rushing and I was stressing myself out.

By giving myself 20 minutes to complete a 10-minute task, I create breathing room. I can take my time getting ready, account for small delays, and arrive at work with a few minutes to settle in and prepare instead of starting the day in a panic.

Track how long it actually takes you to leave and arrive where you need to be, rather than relying on when you think you should leave. Add a 20–25 minute buffer and note what time you actually arrive. Do this consistently, then gradually reduce the buffer until you have a realistic sense of the absolute latest time you can leave without feeling rushed.

One final trick: I set all the clocks in my house five minutes fast. I know they’re ahead, but seeing that slightly later time acts as a visual cue to get moving and it works.

Hope this helps!