I agree but the thing is, how does one decide for the time that it might take for things which are outside of control, by definition, I am not sure of how long it might take.
And also, if we have a very long margin of time, then does the 0.01% you might be late somewhere really justify something like this.
Obviously it depends on the context, but personally, things just happen in life and its hard to take into factor how many things are and are not in my control.
I could in theory. But inside, it often feels that I'm doing everything as early as possible. Just that I'm overwhelmed. I also don't value being on time too much. I was recently late to a date of sorts, 10-15 minutes, which I think is a big reason why she didn't want to continue anything. It's never on purpose. It just happens. If I'm tired, I leave bed as soon as I can, but it's always a cost benefit analysis, always a decision being made. I may decide that those few minutes of extra rest are more valuable than being on time. If it's a person who I think deserves that punctuality from me, then I will go the extra mile of course.
Occasionally things will happen that you can't account for. I agree.
But from my perspective, the added example story was somewhat in your control. You just optimized for the wrong things. Of course this is easier in hindsight too.
Had you not run out of fuel, would you have missed the traffic too?
My fuel tank is always full. I fill it when it gets about 1/2 empty so that I am not caught stranded because I never know what will happen. Sometimes I get fuel even though I can make it, because what if something goes wrong?
Habits die hard. I have seen highways close for hours to days after an accident or snow storm. If you're stuck there is no where to go.
It's likely I would have missed the traffic jams had I not had the fuel incident, since this was 5AM, roads were empty at the time.
And yes, everything is under our control and nothing is. It's a matter of perspective. Everyone prioritizes, since we have limited time. We choose what we do with that time. Just that, some people, sometimes me included, have such a time debt that sucks their time that it spills into their "obligations".
As for optimizing for the wrong things, this is also to some degree outside control. I obviously realize on a rational level why it's "suboptimal", penny-wise and pound foolish. But change requires effort and time. Which are sometimes used up in other more urgent endeavours.
Considering the site we are, treat your effort/time debt as tech debt.
You appear to be past the point where it's beneficial, and should focus on reducing it to improve your life. Granted this is easily stated when I have no real context.
And also, if we have a very long margin of time, then does the 0.01% you might be late somewhere really justify something like this.
Obviously it depends on the context, but personally, things just happen in life and its hard to take into factor how many things are and are not in my control.