Late!: A Timebender's Guide to Why We Are Late and How We Can Change

Do you try not to be late, but it just keeps happening?

You are not alone - one in five people struggle to be on time, and would love to change their lateness habit. Until now it’s been a lonely battle, but in this trailblazing book Grace Pacie, a lifelong self-confessed ‘Timebender’, reveals the surprising truth about why we are late – it’s not a personal failing, we are hard-wired that way. She explains not only when and why we are late, but also when and why we can be early; what is going on in our brains; and what we can do to fix it.

Based on a potent fusion of psychology, self-help, and 10 years of researching fellow sufferers, this book shows us how we can make sure we arrive on time. Written with a light touch, and oodles of humour, Grace dissects our singular approach to time, and in a joyful reversal of conventional wisdom, also shows us the positive side of our timebending tendencies.

✔ FEATURES 41 ORIGINAL ILLUSTRATIONS BY KAREN TWEED

✔ INCLUDES 20 TRIED AND TESTED TIPS TO GET YOU THERE ON TIME!

Reviews for “Late!”

⯁ “So much more inspiring than typical time management books and it adds a missing dimension to Stephen Covey’s work. And for me, the tips on how to use deadlines and manage distractions are spot on!” – Catherine Stothart, Leadership Coach and Author of “How to Get On with Anyone”

⯁ “An insightful and intriguing book. As well as a helpful guide for partners and friends, this would also be a useful book for managers to work more effectively with any timebending staff.” – Joe Cheal, author of “Solving Impossible Problems” and “Who Stole My Pie?”

⯁ “A fascinating read, whether or not time is a problem for you.” – Wendy Berliner, award-winning journalist at The Guardian

⯁ “This subject is of interest to a wide market, yet there are very few books about it. It is well-researched, with a solid scientific base.” – Dr Alison Baverstock, Associate Professor of Publishing at Kingston University, author of “Marketing Your Book”, and Board Member of the Society of Authors

⯁ “A fun, easy read with a lot of practical tips for people who have to live with someone who is chronically ‘bending time.’” – Joy Wodziak, Strategic Marketing Consultant

⯁ “I like the way Grace steers away from the conventional idea that it’s just a ‘lack of discipline.’ I found her tips insightful, practical and easy to implement.” – Stephanie Rees FCIPD

⯁ “Everything you write is so true! I laughed out loud on many occasions! It really is such a good antidote to all the other time management books out there! I found it funny, informative, and sympathetic to other people. So illuminating about all the situations described in Part 3. No wonder I hate going on holiday! The Demon Deadline Shaver, Always Keep an Untidy Desk and being truthful about being late still live with me on a daily basis.” – Clare Rayner, Member of the Faculty of Occupational Medicine

⯁ “Timebending! What a relief to have someone label this and double relief to know I am not alone! This is a must read for anyone who desires a more harmonious life. As a parent and Managing Partner, I related to so much in this book and now have tips to not only make my own life less stressful, but I can for those Timekeepers around me, too. This book was far more insightful and thought provoking that I expected.” – Rebecca Jones, CEO Object Source LLP

⯁ “A great book for someone who has just been struck with how their behavior impacts others and would like to keep their job, marriage or friendship, but without losing themselves. The Secret Scale of Acceptable Lateness is a very effective tool for comparing relative perceptions of timeliness.” – Stephen Martin, Head of EMEA, Frank Lynn & Associates

Not everyone realizes that I struggle to be on time, so I'm a bit crazy to go public and admit the mental hoops I jump through to avoid being late. I've decided to write this book because, whenever I've shared my ideas with other people who have the same problem, they always want to know more, but can't seem to find any other information on the subject.

In spite of my struggles with time I've somehow managed to turn up for enough classes to gain a B.A. and a Master's Degree. I've worked through the midnight hours as a business consultant, I've researched hundreds of markets to understand how people around the world make their buying decisions, and I've just made it to meetings in time to help major global businesses redesign their strategic marketing. I've squeezed in qualifications in Myers Briggs, Neuro-Linguistic Programming, Emotional Freedom Technique, Hypnotherapy, and Marketing.

In between, I've worked out my ideas for this book, searched out and interviewed people who are struggling with punctuality, and reviewed all the research I could find on the subject. I've been distracted by Facebook and Twitter, and even wrote and published another book, as a double bind. Eventually I've managed to apply everything I've learned to my own behavior, and overcome my closure anxiety, in order to get this manuscript finished. I hope it will help some of the other Timebenders out there to accept that there are aspects of their lives which they can't always control; to acknowledge the impact their behavior has on others; to recognize that in certain areas they have special strengths; and to improve their own relationship with time.