Key Takeaways
- Time management is a learnable skill, not a special talent.
- Simple habits like adding buffers and prepping early make a real difference.
- Being on time builds trust, reduces stress, and gives you breathing room.
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One thing people say a lot about me is: “You’re so good with time!” or “When I saw you’re the one leading the prayers, I knew we would finish on time”. I hear it so often, you’d think I have some hidden talent for bending the clock.
Not to be falsely modest or anything, even I know that I’m a star when it comes to being punctual (if I dare say so myself 😎) – I start meetings on time (so long as it’s my meeting, I always say). I wrap things up ahead of schedule. And yes, I tend to deliver work faster than expected. People notice, and they often say it like I was born with this magic skill.
The honest truth is that there’s no magic here. No hidden talent, no superpower, no secret formula that only a few of us know. Keeping to time is a skill, and like any other skill, it can be learnt by anyone. And once you do, it changes everything.
Here’s how I see it.
Punctuality Is Not About Being Gifted
I think there’s this idea that some people are just “naturally punctual.” Like they popped out of the womb already five minutes early for life. Abegi! That’s not the case.
I wasn’t always like this. Early on in my life, the “African time” bug bit me, too. Not just showing up late at meetings, but scrambling to finish tasks, and feeling like there just weren’t enough hours in the day. It was stressful and, honestly, I personally found it very embarrassing. Even though everyone around seemed to think it was normal (after all, surviving Lagos stress every day is worth an Olympic gold medal), I wasn’t comfortable with that type of lifestyle.
What turned things around for me was a simple realisation: managing time well is about choices, not talent. Choices like preparing ahead, being realistic about how long things take, and the big one — respecting not just my time, but everyone else’s too.
It Starts With Mindset
Time is a finite resource; no matter how much money you have, you can never get time back once you’ve lost it. It’s also never just about you, because time is a shared resource in many cases.
When you’re late or miss deadlines, it doesn’t just impact you. It slows things down for your team, your clients, and anyone relying on you. But when you’re on time, things flow better. Everyone feels a bit less stressed.
It’s not about being rigid or living by the stopwatch. It’s about being intentional.
You plan a little better because you see time as something worth guarding. And once you start thinking like that, you naturally begin to manage it better.
Small Habits That Make A Big Difference
Now, you might be wondering — how exactly do you do this? How do you master your time to the point that people think you have one secret sauce that you have refused to share with the rest of the world?
Here’s what’s worked for me (and no, it doesn’t require a productivity coach or fancy tools):
- Define a clear start and finish time: Every meeting I host has a clearly defined start and finish time. This might seem like a small thing until you consider how some meetings just seem to take on a life of their own and drag on endlessly. I find that setting an agenda in advance and sharing important pre-reads can make a big difference. This applies to work, as well, as I set precise time blocks for working on tasks to ensure I can use my time in the most efficient and productive manner.
- Add buffer time: I aim to be ready at least 20 minutes before anything starts. That way, even if there’s a hiccup, I’m still on track. I remember I was once the host at an awards event, and I had a wardrobe malfunction just as I was about to step out of home! I had to dash back and do some nicks and tucks on the outfit (thank God for Home Economics back in the day!), which was only possible because I had built in adequate buffer time
- Break- and write things down: I don’t try to do everything at once. I work in small, focused time blocks. I also write things down as I move along my day, setting alarms, putting entries in my calendar, and making notes of things needing attention. All of these keep me moving steadily without feeling overwhelmed or losing track of what I need to get donw, when.
- Prep the night before: Before I end my day, I glance at my calendar for the next day to know what’s coming. Sometimes, I see I would need to get up earlier than usual to close out on something before a meeting or schedule a quick meeting before another one holds. Prepping the night before gives me a head start, and I sleep better knowing I’m ready.
- Aim to finish early: This is still work in progress, even for me, but if a deadline is Friday, I work towards finishing it up by Thursday at most. It gives me breathing space, and I’m not panicking at the last minute. This also impacts the quality of your work, because you have time to look things over and make any edits that might be needed.
Conclusion: The Payoff? It’s Worth It
Once you get into the habit of keeping to time, people start trusting you more. Deadlines stop feeling like panic moments, and meetings don’t drag on endlessly. More than that, you feel more in control of your day. You’re not rushing or constantly apologising for running late. You actually have time to breathe, think, and even enjoy your work a bit more.
It’s not about being perfect. It’s just about being intentional and respectful with your time, and you’ll be amazed at how far that gets you.