Talane’s Blog of the Week, April 16, 2007

A Classic Tip from Talane . . .
Arrive Ten Minutes Early
Excerpted from bestselling book Coach Yourself to Success by Talane Miedaner

The fastest and simplest way to create a reserve of time in your life is to show up ten minutes early to every business and personal appointment. It sounds like a waste of time, however, in this case, by doing less you gain more - more time, peace, and awareness. By arriving early you have time to compose your thoughts, take in the environment, and relax. As an experiment, try showing up ten minutes early for one week.

One client, a very successful businessman who was always running late, reluctantly agreed to try it for a week. To make sure he would arrive early, I asked him to write down in his calendar the time he needed to leave instead of the time he needed to be there. It wasn't easy, but he succeeded in arriving ten minutes early for an appointment with a prospective client. He had a chance to sit, take in the surroundings, and compose his thoughts. So who has the advantage already? That short time gave him a sense of peacefulness and enabled him to relax and focus on the client. The lunch was a success.

Another way to help you show up early is by under-promising. Instead of saying "I'll be there in twenty minutes", say thirty minutes. That way if you get stuck in traffic your client won't be waiting around for you. A reserve of time gives you an opportunity to slow down, to think about who you are going to be talking to and what you are going to say. It is the sign of a true professional.