Or the one who grabs coffee nearby because they arrived at the restaurant fifteen minutes before your lunch date? I used to think they were just anxious or had terrible time management skills that made them overcompensate. But after interviewing over 200 people for various articles, I've noticed something fascinating: the consistently early arrivals tend to be the same people who seem to have their lives remarkably together.
They're displaying a fascinating set of personality traits that go much deeper than having their finances sorted. 1) They have exceptional impulse control Think about what it takes to always have exact change ready. You need to resist the urge to spend those coins on vending machines or leave them as tips. You have to plan ahead, knowing what you'll buy and preparing accordingly.
I give myself an imaginary amount to spend — say, $500 — then wander into stores I enjoy and pick out favorite items. But I don't purchase anything! I get all the rush of shopping and the satisfaction of choosing without spending.