When you're late, you're rushing, your brain is multitasking, trying to pick between what you have time for and what you must do faster.

• Your body might go into a fight-or-flight mode, releasing the stress hormone cortisol. If you do that to yourself repeatedly, it may...

We all know someone who just can't be on time. They had to finish one more email or got stuck on a call with a friend, or completely lost track of time.

There are several potential contributing factors to tardiness.

• Some people think that the less conscientious tend to run late, but research doesn't back that up.
• Some think optimistic people might not consider potential delays. Again, little research to confirm this.
• Being time urgent is a characteristic of people with type A personaliti...

Some people have an underlying feeling that their time is more important than everyone else's. Politicians or businesspeople may exert their authority by keeping others waiting.

However, most people don't realise that their delay has this effect on others. They think the struggle to be on t...