If You Want to Be On Time, Don’t Arrive On Time

A mentor once told me something that completely shifted how I think about time:

“Suruchi, reaching on time is already late. If you want to be on time, you have to come 5 minutes early.”

At the time, it felt like one of those classic mentor lines — something smart-sounding but maybe not that practical.

But I decided to try it anyway.

I started aiming to reach 5–10 minutes early. To meetings. To coffee catchups. Even for casual plans.

And honestly? It changed something I didn’t expect.

The Subtle Power of Being Early

The shift wasn’t dramatic. But it was noticeable — especially in my mind.

When I arrived early:

• I wasn’t rushed.

• I wasn’t fumbling with my thoughts.

• I wasn’t still mentally somewhere else.

I was calm. Clear. In control.

Even if something had been weighing on me, those 5 quiet minutes gave me space to collect myself before saying the first “hi.”

I could read the room. Settle in. Take a breath. Actually arrive before things began.

It’s Not Life-Changing — But It Adds Up

No, this isn’t going to radically change your life. But if you do it consistently, it starts to shift something deeper.

You feel a little more grounded. Your day feels a little less chaotic. You feel like you’re driving the day, not the other way around.

Those 5 minutes? They become your buffer. Your breath. Your advantage.

And Then There’s the Other Person

Let’s not ignore this part: When you show up early, you’re also quietly telling the other person:

“Your time matters to me.”

That small signal — that subtle bit of respect — goes a long way. In friendships. In work. In trust.

And in a world where everyone is running late, showing up early makes you stand out — not loudly, but quietly, in the best way.

So no — it’s not just a productivity hack. It’s a way of being.

Try it this week. Reach early. Take a breath. Notice the difference.

Jai Jinendra