The Concept of Time
It might seem silly to discuss the concept of time because after all time is time, isn’t it? A minute is always 60 seconds, seven days is always a week; these concrete ways of measuring time are handy tools but don’t take into account the way different people perceive the passing of time.
Your own concept of time is formed by your personality, the culture in which you were raised and the culture in which you live now. It’s important to note there are no right or wrong ways to look at time, only ways that tend to be more favorable in different circumstances. By understanding your own particular concept of time, you’ll be better equipped to work with your own preferences to get things done rather than fighting a losing battle against them.
For some people and in some cultures, time is a linear concept. They tend to prefer that things be mapped out in orderly blocks of time with discrete starting and stopping points and wish to do things by a set schedule. It’s more comfortable for them to know precisely when something is to be done and when it is time to move on to the next activity.
Linear Concept
People with a linear concept of time do well with schedules and set agendas and become anxious when they aren’t sure what will come next and are given vague or ambiguous timetables. They are generally prompt and methodical and thrive when given solid deadlines and a list of logically ordered tasks.
Amorphous Concept
For others time is a amorphous concept and their preference is to take things as they come and in no particular order. They tend to feel restricted by strict schedules and are comfortable going with the flow. For them, things will take as long as they take and delays or tangents are not usually a cause of stress or anxiety.
People with amorphous concepts of time can be prompt but their natural inclination is to get there when they get there, not out of disrespect but because their perception of time is more fluid and flexible. They do best when given a general idea of when something should be completed and not subjected to being micromanaged.
Why you need to know your type
While most people are not purely one type or the other, it’s helpful to know how you generally look at time and make your plans keeping that in mind. If you are a linear person, you will do well by chunking up your schedule into blocks of time and making lists of milestones and deadlines. You will be more comfortable knowing when each task should be completed and in which order and will probably get a sense of satisfaction crossing items off your agenda in order.
Your challenge is not to get thrown off by small delays and setbacks and to cultivate a sense of flexibility. Learn ways to cope when your schedule gets thrown off course and understand that while you prefer to do things in order, if the situation requires it, you can skip a task and go back to it when conditions are more favorable.
If you are a more open-ended person, try mapping out your tasks in a spiderweb style formation, each related task connected to each other by a line. That way you get a sense of what needs to be accomplished before another task can be started but you have flexibility in what to do first and where to go next. You will still need deadlines, but instead of several, smaller checkpoints, try fewer, larger ones.
Your challenge is to remember that things still need to be done in a reasonable amount of time and to not lose track of how much needs to be done in the time you have left. Make it a point to wrap things up when time is growing short and to keep some sort of list of how things are progressing, even if it’s not your natural inclination.
Working with others
Working or living with those who have completely different concepts of time can be a challenge but it’s one that can be overcome with good communication. Do not insist that other people completely bow to your preferences in how to deal with time. This will almost certainly fail and lead to frustration and resentment on both sides.
Instead, work out a series of compromises based on what each side holds as a priority. For example, a linear person working on a project with an amorphous person might decide it’s important to divide up the project into a few milestones where each must have certain tasks done but leave it up to each individual to decide how to organize their own work.
Or, in a couple, the linear one might be in charge of setting out a weekday routine for getting everyone out of the door on time for work and school while the amorphous one can be in charge of planning open ended excursions on the weekend.
It’s about respect
In the end, it’s about recognizing and respecting that there are many concepts of time and we all have our own preferences and tendencies. It does no good to try and impose a strict schedule on somebody who does better with more fluid plans and it’s frustrating to always be late and keep others waiting.
Stretch to meet others in their comfort zones when possible and make firm boundaries with others to ensure that your time is respected. Your concept of time is an important aspect of your personality but that doesn’t mean you can’t or shouldn’t be flexible and put the needs of others first when appropriate.
Vincent King is a ghostwriter who loves to workout four times per week, and lives an active, healthy lifestyle.
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