We all have that friend (or maybe, we are that friend) who is late to every meeting ever put on the calendar. While some people pride themselves on good manners, which includes punctuality, others simply seem incapable of showing up on time. While it's certainly a frustrating trait for people who tend to wait, it turns out there's a silver lining. Many studies revealed that the traits that tend to make people late are the very traits that can help them live longer, more productive lives.
Science has shown that stress is incredibly bad for overall health. People who are late generally feel less stressed, not worried about deadlines, and generally more relaxed. That can lead to lower blood pressure, lower risks of heart disease, increased cardiovascular health, lower risk of stroke, and lower chance of depression, all of which can prolong life.
As Diana DeLonzor wrote in her book, Never Late Again, “Many latecomers tend to be optimistic and unrealistic.” That means they actually believe they can, say, go for a run, take a shower, stop for groceries, stop by the laundry room, and still be on time to pick up the kids from school all within the hour.
Even though that's a decidedly optimistic timeline, many chronically late people actually believe it's possible, even when it's proven time and time again not to be the case. However, that level of optimism goes far beyond an overly planned schedule.
According to researchers at Harvard Medical School, “Studies tell us that an optimistic prognosis early in life can predict better health and a lower death rate during follow-up periods of 15 to 40 years.”
Optimism can also affect productivity and success. A study of salespeople found that optimists sold 88 percent more than their pessimistic colleagues. They performed better because they have a better perspective.
Similarly, some chronically late people are perfectionists who can't leave the house until the dishwasher is empty and the laundry is folded, according to Dr. Linda Sapadin, a time management specialist and fellow of the American Psychological Association. That may be a frustrating trait in a friend, but it's a desirable characteristic in an employee and can lead to a more successful career.
Another reason a person may be late is because they are simply absorbed in another activity and lose track of time. Being passionate about a topic can translate into long-term success, meaning that people who are late can become very successful.
Finally, it’s important to understand that for some people, lateness isn’t entirely their fault, because they may have a completely different sense of time than everyone else. A team of scientists put a minute on a clock and asked two different groups of people with Type A (ambitious, driven) or Type B (laid-back, creative) personalities to guess how much time had passed: their study revealed that people with Type A personalities guessed that an average of 58 seconds had passed, while people with Type B personalities thought that an average of 77 seconds had passed. This would explain why they are late everywhere.
Source: LANACION
