I usually follow the 10 minute rule, where I put the leaving time in my head 10 minutes earlier than I think it should be. So I end up leaving a few minutes early or right on time.

But, sometimes things happen beyond your control.

I was in the airport at Charlotte, NC. Our plane was late getting there. Then since it was late, another plane swiped its gate. Our plane had to wait until the other plane unloaded and left the gate. And we had to wait for a runway. We ended up being about an hour late for take off.

I also had a connecting flight in Cincinnati. I could have spent that flight worry about missing the connecting flight. Instead, I decided to play the worst case scenario game. OK, what if I did miss the connecting flight? I might have to get a hotel in Cincinnati, or they might put me on a later flight, or maybe I could rent a car to get the rest of the way home. All options I can deal with.

I breathed and took a relaxing nap.

I raced off the plane at landing, getting to my other gate with 10 minutes to spare. Only to find that plane was going to be 30 minutes late. I even had time for dinner.

I’ve noticed with most people there is a lot of worry about being late. They get anxious and stressed only to find they really did make it on time. Or that being late wasn’t the disaster they thought it would be. But, by the time they arrive they are frazzled.

I don’t like being late, that’s why I have the 10 min rule. But, I also don’t want to spend my time worrying and stressing. I’ll deal with whatever happens, rather than worry about what may happen.