Comment by Aramgutang | Hacker News Reader

Comment by Aramgutang | Hacker News Reader

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I find it just as difficult to be on time for flights as I do for get-togethers with friends, or anything else, for that matter.

I've missed at least 8 flights in the past decade, have seen only the last 80-90% of many of the films I watched in the cinema, have had to stand in the back for the first act of many stage productions, etc. Seeing me walk, rather than run, through train stations and airports is a rare sight. I don't recall a single multi-day bushwalk I've been on, where I pitched my tent before sunset, or even within 2 hours after it.

Some of us simply don't have the time awareness and executive function to be on time. I have a clock always visible in my line of sight at my desk, but many times, I can't get myself to actually read the time off it, even though it's right there (and it's digital).

If my friends didn't know not to take my lateness personally, I wouldn't have any friends.

> I have a clock always visible in my line of sight at my desk, but many times, I can't get myself to actually read the time off it, even though it's right there (and it's digital).

Some clocks can be programmed to make noise nowadays at a certain time.

That's not the issue. The issue is that for whatever reason, my brain is refusing to allow me to become aware of the time. The presentation format of the time doesn't matter.

It's tough to fight this, because the person you're fighting is yourself, and you're just as smart as you are, so you can't outsmart or trick yourself.

Sometimes, some technique will work for a day or two, but the brain adapts very quickly and learns how to get around it.

You don't need to be aware of the time to use an alarm clock. On a phone, you can set it to an appropriate time with a message. When it rings, start doing whatever the message tells you to do.

I'm very absent-minded and frequently forget things like eating and cleaning, but out of respect for other people, I frequently take notes and set alarms, which at least helps me stick to agreed schedules.

Another useful way to manage it is to schedule things loosely when possible. Agree to meet at some point in the span of an hour under circumstances where neither party will be bored waiting. For example, invite the other party over an hour before going to a see a film.

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