For chronically late people, who often have time blindness, they don’t truly understand how their friends arrive on time.
But for people who always arrive at least 15 minutes early to something, it’s not just that they want to be respectful of others’ time or find it calming to not rush. Actually, they tend to have very specific personality traits.
People who always arrive 15 minutes early have these personality traits
1. They’re averse to stress
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Stress aversion is defined the “dislike of situations in which the outcomes are not deterministic,” according to a 2023 study. For people with an aversion to stress, they really dislike the feeling of overwhelm.
Because of this, they tend to show up early to things. And while avoiding stress can often make things worse, these people will do anything to lower the amount of uncertainty.
2. They’re highly conscientious
Conscientiousness is a core personality trait where someone is reliable and organized. They’re good at forward thinking and deliberating on their choices, mindfully making plans and decisions.
They have enough self-control to wake up on time and leave without having to worry about things like traffic or other unexpected events. They won’t make impulsive decisions, like choosing to fold laundry or go for a run when they have somewhere to be.
Instead, they follow through on promises, so it’s likely they’ll arrive to events or gatherings early.
3. They have an innate respect for others
In our culture, it’s widely considered rude to show up late to things. When people are late, their friends or the hosts consider it a sign of disrespect. And even though unexpected events happen, showing up late to work is especially frowned upon.
But people who tend to arrive early make it a point to show respect at all times. So, even if it means waking up before their alarm rings or putting off other commitments, they will do it.
4. They’re goal-oriented
People who are goal-oriented or productivity-focused have figured out the cheat code to life. Where most people would use their free time to have fun with their hobbies or catch up on chores, these folks respond to emails or read.
Because they always have their eyes on the prize, showing up early is normal for them. If they find themselves running late, they see it as almost a sort of failure.
5. They have a need for control
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There are lots of reasons why people have a need for control. It may be due to deep-rooted anxiety or insecurities, or perfectionist tendencies. They believe that if they let go, disaster will strike.
“Control, or rather, seeking to have control, is a form of anxiety. It is rooted in the default, and often unconscious belief or feeling that ‘I am not going to be okay’ or ‘Things will not be okay.'” When this is your default belief… you may have adopted… coping mechanisms in an attempt to feel that you, or things, will be okay,” therapist Noelle McWard explained.
But for folks who show up early, this is one thing they know they can control. Because even if they can’t account for weather or traffic, they can remain on top of it when they leave the house.
6. They’re planners
When we plan things ahead of time, it helps us stay more focused and present. As licensed clinical psychologist Stephanie Freitag said, “Planning ahead is useful for managing our emotions. Being in the present means thinking about our values and goals, which often means making a plan to work towards them.”
For people who arrive early, they have a natural talent for timing how long something will take. They account for every unexpected thing that could happen, like accidentally missing an exit or having to look for parking.
Sophie Bagheri is a writer with a bachelor’s degree in English and theatre who covers lifestyle topics.
