Strong time management skills are essential, no matter your profession. Arriving late, delaying meetings and other consequences of poor timing can hold you back in your career, or worse – result in a ruined opportunity and poor professional reputation. With the looming threat of rush hour, heavier-than-normal traffic and unexpected delays, having a solid plan in place is vital. 

Fortunately, there are many ways to improve time management and get you there on time, every time. Here, we’ll go over some effective strategies every young professional can utilize to improve meeting timeliness.  

Plan Ahead 

Setting a schedule and sticking to it is the foundation for punctuality. That means you must consider factors like potential delays and rush hour well before you hit the road. A great place to start is to always aim to arrive early – by at least 10, if not 15 minutes. This extra time gives you a moment to collect your thoughts and review notes before the meeting while also leaving wiggle room for any delays. 

Another aspect of this is mapping out the best route. Google Maps makes it easy to double-check if your route is still the fastest way to get to your destination, or if congestion or a traffic accident calls for an alternative route. Be sure to check for these potential complications before setting out. 

Planning ahead also means preparing things you can the night before. That can include setting out your outfit, packing your work bag and making certain that all your important documents and meeting notes are in order. This helps prevent any last-minute delays on your part. 

If things go wrong, remember to communicate any delays. By informing others in advance – rather than walking in late – you show professionalism and consideration for their time. 

Put the Latest Technology to Work for You 

Navigation apps aren’t the only tool you should be utilizing to make it to your meetings on time. There are calendar apps, digital reminders and so many other tools at your disposal. For instance, if you have back-to-back meetings, you can set a timer on your phone to help you keep pace. This strategy is helps prevent one event from going over and making you late for the next. 

Another tech to consider is corporate travel management software. Great for those who frequently travel for business meetings or industry events, these platforms can keep flights, hotel bookings and even ground transportation organized. Simple and convenient, this route consolidates all the aspects of trip and meeting planning into one system so you can avoid the risk of missing or overlooked details. 

Speaking of ground transportation, there are apps and other tools to simplify this part of making it to the meeting on time as well. You can set up a pick-up time with a professional provider when looking for taxi service through app ordering. Not only is this strategy convenient, but pre-arranged transportation can help make a great impression if you plan to ride share with other meeting attendees. It also helps avoid the stress of driving or finding a ride in an unfamiliar city. 

In addition to integrating the latest technology, there’s the smart strategy of tracking the estimated travel time a day or two before your meeting. If you think there’s going to be unpredictable traffic, consider doing a test run of the route. This can help you gauge a more realistic commute time and feel more comfortable with the timing. 

Make Punctuality a Habit 

With the right planning, technology and strategy, you can significantly cut back on the stress of navigating rush hour and arrive at your meetings on time. Developing a habit of punctuality sets you up for success by showing your managers, colleagues and clients that you are reliable and ready for the work ahead. Over time, this has the power to build stronger relationships and give you a greater sense of control over your schedule. 

Author Bio:  Joe Zayed is the CEO (South Division) of American Taxi Dispatch, Inc. Zayed has been with American Taxi Dispatch, Inc. since 1997, starting as a driver and working his way up to become the president of the company and then CEO of South Division. He started with a fleet of 400 cars and helped the business evolve and grow to 850 vehicles.