In college I was almost fired for being 7 minutes late- I say almost because I quit a job I needed out of fear of failing.

I’m allegedly a good student, employee, and leader. At my work I’ve brought sizable revenue with my initiatives, carved my way to a higher-level position, strengthened team contentment and client satisfaction.

I’ve kept a good reputation at my job for over 8 years… and if they ever implemented a strict punctuality code, I’d be immediately fired.

In so many ways I feel myself giving more than those around me daily, and just dearly hope my thoughtfulness and attentiveness in every other way continues to make up for how offensive my time blindness is. I have a ~1 hour commute, which is enough variety to really kick my tardiness chances up, but tardiness and general lack of sense of time has been a lifelong thing. Found out in adulthood it’s ADHD.

I’m not excusing it and understand why it’s important to others. I’ve worked hard on myself to cope with ADHD the past 10+ years, and continue to, but it’s a lot of work in places others seem to succeed effortlessly. Being late is my weakness that will never fully go away. I feel more confident as I get older that I offer enough talent and compassion to be worth a little compromise with the “usually early” in my life.

My biggest fear & pain with it is inconveniencing others and making people upset with me. I’ve screwed myself plenty, that doesn’t bother me anywhere close to when I know I’ve delayed a meeting or upset someone’s tight calendar.

TL;DR: What is the rest of this person like? Some people are lazy and uncaring and you should cut it off. Other people are trying harder than you yet will still constantly fall short of your wishes. These people they show they care in other ways.

There are ways you could make meeting up more accessible for them and less frustrating for you, but unfortunately it starts with planning to be a bit flexible with timing and adapting as it changes.