The call that’s never late: set appointment alarms

Anyone who has ever stayed in a hotel is familiar with the “wake-up” call that can be requested in case you don’t notice or trust the room’s alarm clock. This additional alarm ensures that the next day’s planned out-of-town meeting or event is not missed or entered late. Being on time for meetings and other appointments should be an ongoing practice. For those who want to always be on time, get a personal alarm. To put your personal alarm to work whenever and wherever, consider many of the alternatives below, find one that fits, and learn how to use it. For those who are always on the go or out of the office, choose to use a phone or personal clock alarm. If you are primarily in the office, when you need to go out for appointments, consider using the computer or getting a clock or timer to keep on your desk.

The telephones They work well for alarms because almost all adults now carry a cell phone. Most mobile phones come with an appointment or alarm feature. It’s just a matter of finding it in the many menu options or consulting the user guide. For those with a smartphone, if the built-in alarm that may come with the phone doesn’t meet your alarm preferences, then search the iPhone or Droid apps online to find something that best suits your personal needs. Look for an alarm that can be set based on a calendar date and time, as well as setting a daily alarm, if desired, for the wake-up call.

Clocks They are not as “trendy” as they used to be, but many still love the ease of wear, the fashion statement, or the status symbol that this piece of jewelry can provide. Clocks mainly indicate the current time, but they can also show the date or indicate the time in other places. If the clock is digital, it may have an alarm function that can be set. Read the instructions that came with the watch or ask the jeweler where you bought it. Most clock alarms only have a single time setting, which becomes a daily alarm if it is not turned off or is reset at another time.

Computers they typically have access to an email tool and within most email tools there is a calendar tool to keep track of appointments. The best calendar tools also include an alarm or reminder feature that can be set for appointments. Please refer to the “help” feature to find out how to create an appointment and set an alarm reminder that will sound 10 minutes or more before the scheduled appointment.

Desk accessories It may not be high-tech like the options above, but it’s okay to go low-tech if it works. Consider placing a digital alarm clock, a small travel clock, or a simple kitchen timer on the desk. Then use it to set and reset alarms to get to meetings on time or leave for other appointments. A timer or alarm can also be used to limit the amount of time spent working individually on a particular project or to keep track of the time the group spends on meeting agenda items. Using a timer as a simple alarm clock is a way to signal when it’s time to move on to something new.

People with great mobility do better with a phone or an alarm clock; however, office workers may find their computer, desk clock, or a simple timer just as effective. Consider the work style and review the alarm alternatives to find a suitable setting and learn how to use it well. An alarm as a standard time management practice helps you get to meetings and appointments on time. This practice can show trustworthiness and indicate concern for others, as people no longer wait for someone who is late.