In-timers: get ready first

The "in-timers" almost always think they've got more time available than they really have. Photo / Thinkstock

It was a sunny afternoon very early in my now 23-year career as a time management specialist. I'd been booked to run an after-school programme for the staff of a city school, in a suburb I didn't know very well. I set out in plenty of time, crossed the harbour bridge, and thinking I was only five minutes away from the school, parked beside the harbour to enjoy the spare 15 minutes I thought I had.

Then, relaxed and rested, I headed off. The sense of peace and tranquillity didn't last long! Imagine my dismay as I crawled through a unfamiliar long skinny suburb to the far end, hampered by the afternoon discharge of dawdling chattering children from five other schools, and what seemed like every mother and child in the suburb slowly meandering their way to the major shopping centre just along the road. Red faced, stressed out, and acutely embarrassed, I arrived at my destination - to a roomful of teachers waiting for me.

It's not a good look to be late for your own time management course!

So, what was going on here?

I should have applied one of my core pieces of advice - 'get ready first'. The travel variation which applied in this case is 'get there first', or 'you're not there until you're there'.

We fit broadly into one of two styles when it comes to processing time - we're predominantly either in-time (my natural style) or through-time (my learned style - after years of retraining!) The in-timers, bless their socks, are great at being fully present and totally in the moment (which is why this type of behaviour is called in-time, not because they're punctual!).

However, they're challenged at getting places or completing tasks on time. For them, it seems efficient to fit in 'one more thing' - to get somewhere early seems to be a waste of time and opportunity. The irony is - they think they're using time well by fitting more in and often feel quite hurt when people accuse them of being poor time managers.

Through-timers, on the other hand, are more objective: they're able to detach, to see themselves outside of the events they're involved in. They seem to be effortlessly punctual. Their ability to easily see 'through' or along a time continuum makes it automatic for them estimate how long they'll need for any activity.

For each style, their strength is also their weakness. And opposites often attract - driving each other nuts until they learn to play to their strengths and support the other's weakness.

The in-timer's skill at being fully present and focused on what they're doing means that it's hard to extract themselves and realistically plan ahead. They almost always think they've got more time available than they really have. They also often get a shock when they realise how many minutes have disappeared since they last checked the time. The through-timer's strength is their ability to detach, keep focused on the 'main' thing, to be aware of the passage of time and its consequences. This same skill can cause them to be seen as abrupt and distant. They have to work harder to ensure that they're not perceived as disinterested.

Strategies to get the in-timers out of the poo!

1. Get ready first. Then go back to the other jobs you thought you could fit in. If you're travelling somewhere, reach your destination before you stop for breaks. Then have the coffee, take the 5 minute power nap, answer emails or read that article.

2. Don't do the 'one last thing'. Your intuition tries to tell you not to do it, but most in-timers have become A1 graduates at blocking that message from the subconscious. Next time you hear yourself saying (or thinking), 'I'll just do that one last thing' - DON'T!! It is guaranteed to make you late.

3. Start with the end in mind. Count back approximately how many minutes you need for each task, until you arrive at the beginning. Typically you'll say to yourself, 'That's ridiculously early. I'll be sitting around waiting!' I promise - you won't! You'll just be less stressed. But taking a useful task to do on arrival gives you the security of knowing you won't waste time.

You can change your behaviour - if the desire is strong enough.

Robyn Pearce (known as the Time Queen) is the MD of GettingAGrip.com, an international time management and productivity training company based in New Zealand. Get your free report 'How To Master Time In Only 90 Seconds' and ongoing time tips at www.gettingagrip.com