Time is the one resource we all get equally. Rich or poor, young or old, everyone has 24 hours in a day. Yet, how we use that time can make all the difference in our lives.
It’s a conundrum, though. Time seems endless when we’re young, stretching out like a lazy summer afternoon. But as we grow older, it seems to speed up, zipping by faster every year. This baffling phenomenon of time acceleration happens to most of us. It’s a reminder that time is precious, and we must make the most of it.
The bad news is that time flies. The good news is you’re the pilot.
– Michael Altshuler, Keynote Speaker and Performance Coach
Our subjective experience of time changes while its objective chronological reality marches on. The ancient Greeks had two perspectives on time that give insight into this shift – Chronos and Kairos. These concepts allow you to become a “time shifter,” regaining control over that elusive commodity.
Understanding Time: Chronos vs. Kairos
Before diving into time-saving tips, let’s understand the two ways time is defined:
- Chronos: This refers to chronological time—seconds, minutes, hours. It’s the ticking clock we live by daily. We’re bound by Chronos constraints—allocated the same 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, 365 days per year. Chronos time is how we measure our days and our lives quantitatively, and it moves forward relentlessly and methodically.
- Kairos: On the other hand, Kairos represents qualitative time – meaningful moments judged not by duration but by their richness and significance. A Kairos moment refers to the right, opportune, or defining time for certain actions and experiences to take place. It’s a window of elevated importance and value that requires an intentional, purposeful response. While Chronos time flows ever onward, Kairos transcends it by making individual moments feel timeless and fulfilling.
Chronos time moves on regardless of your awareness, but Kairos time is experienced only when you’re fully immersed in the present moment. The more you live in Kairos, the more you’ll find yourself in a state of flow, enjoying peak experiences. You’ll encounter more awe, personal growth, and a deeper sense of meaning.
Time seems suspended when you’re engrossed in rewarding Kairos activities and connections. Conversely, dull routines bound to Chronos make time drag.
My Personal Relationship with Time
When I was younger, I always felt that I was behind. Others were smarter, appeared to be more successful, had more money and cool material possessions, and I became obsessed with finding ways to be more productive with my time so that I could be like them.
Now that I’m older, others are still smarter, appear to be more successful and have more money and cool possessions. The difference for me is that I no longer compare myself them and strive to acquire what they have. While I have no idea of how much time I have on this beautiful blue planet, I want to live an uncommon life, with many moments of deep connection with the people I love and hold dear.
Today, I’m still a student of time management, but the reasons are different. I work with time to find better ways to get more out of each day. And I compete with myself to achieve my own personal best and strive to be better today than I was yesterday.
While it’s not a given, with age often comes wisdom. Life teaches us lessons. If we pay attention and learn, we get to learn more and different lessons. If we’re stubborn and refuse to learn the lesson life presents, we’re held back and presented with another opportunity to learn the same lesson.
In 2020, I faced a cancer diagnosis. For me, it was a happy ending; I’m cancer-free. But my journey with cancer provided a front-row seat in the classroom of life and reinforced what we all are reminded of when faced with a tragedy or the loss of a friend or loved one. We’re reminded that no one gets out alive.
Time is a river, indifferent to our wishes, yet constantly carrying us forward. The lessons we learn during our life teach us to go with the flow, drift or swim upstream. Our choices chart our course, help us navigate the weather and ultimately determine our destination.
Recapture Your Time-Shifting Power Through Kairos
To regain your time-shifting ability, you need to recapture Kairos by making space for meaningful, transcendent moments amidst the Chronos constraints:
Prioritize Kairos Up Front
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- Start weeks journaling priorities to protect time for hobbies, relationships, and passionate pursuits.
- Block off larger chunks for extended flow, connections, and personal growth.
Punctuate Chronos with Kairos Micro-Moments
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- Use 5 to 10-minute micro-Kairos activities like meditation, music, and fresh air to shift your headspace.
- String these small reset points throughout Chronos obligations.
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The key is intentionally designing your Chronos time to allow Kairos richness to blossom. You can’t outrun the Chronos clock, but you can extract more Kairos fulfillment from whatever chronological time you have left. Recognize and respond to the Kairos “seasons” and defining moments in your life.
Memento Mori & Memento Vivere
Time is the only currency you spend without ever knowing your balance. Use it wisely.
– The Universe
During my recovery, when I was able to reflect on what I learned, I came upon two powerful Latin phrases: Memento Mori, Memento Vivere. These phrases offer profound insights into how we view and use our time.
- Memento Mori means “remember that you will die.” It’s a reminder of our mortality, urging us to live a life of purpose and urgency, knowing that our time is finite.
- On the flip side, Memento Vivere means “remember to live.” It encourages us to savor life’s moments, finding joy and meaning in our daily existence. Balancing these concepts helps us live fully and wisely.
I wear a pendant around my neck as a daily reminder that these two opposing forces are in constant and continuous motion as we navigate our lives. This helps me when faced with disappointment or frustration because I can ask myself, “Will this matter in five months… will this matter in five years?”
Memento Mori and Memento Vivere provide me with perspective and serve as a gentle reminder to be present, laugh often, and live life with as much passion and energy as one can muster.
Top 3 Time-Saving Productivity Practices
To make the most of our Chronos and create more Kairos moments, here are three proven time-saving productivity practices:
1. Prioritize Your Tasks
Prioritizing tasks ensures that you’re focusing on what’s truly important. By identifying and tackling your most critical tasks first, you can make the most significant impact on your day.
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- Use a Task List: Write down your tasks for the day. Sort them by importance and urgency.
- Apply the 80/20 Rule: Focus on the 20% of tasks that will give you 80% of the results.
- Set Deadlines: Give yourself specific times to complete tasks. This helps prevent procrastination.
2. Batch Similar Tasks Together
Batching similar tasks is a powerful technique to enhance productivity. It minimizes the mental load of switching between different types of tasks, allowing you to maintain focus and efficiency.
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- Set Time Blocks: Allocate specific times for different types of work (e.g., creative tasks in the morning, meetings in the afternoon).
- Group Tasks: Do similar tasks, like answering emails or making phone calls, in one block of time.
- Minimize Interruptions: Turn off notifications and let others know your focused work times.
3. Use Technology Wisely
Technology can be a double-edged sword. When used correctly, it can streamline your workflow and save valuable time. However, it’s essential to use it wisely to avoid distractions.
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- Automate Repetitive Tasks: Use tools and apps that automate scheduling, reminders, and data entry.
- Use Productivity Apps: Apps like Trello or Asana can help you organize and track your projects.
- Limit Social Media: Set specific times for checking social media to avoid wasting time.
Take the Time to Produce Your Best Work
Recent studies show that taking breaks and managing stress improves productivity and creativity. A study by the University of Illinois found that short breaks can significantly improve focus and performance. So don’t rush your work. Quality takes time.
Dost thou love life? Then do not squander time, for that is the stuff life is made of.
– Benjamin Franklin, an American polymath: a leading writer, scientist, inventor, statesman, diplomat, printer, publisher and political philosopher
Parting Thoughts
Protect, plan and cherish your time and prioritize what truly matters to you. Forget work-life balance and take steps toward work-life integration while recognizing it will look different at different stages of your life. Strive for a balance between Chronos and Kairos. By increasing your awareness about time and implementing these productivity tips, you’ll create more moments to cherish and memories that will last a lifetime.
Be intentional so that every second counts, and remember, time well spent is a life well-lived. To share a well-loved and oft-quoted phrase in our family from Into the Land of the Unicorns, a fantasy novel by Bruce Coville we read when our children were young:
“Now now shake butts move feet hotcha get going!” – The Squijum
Inspire on!
If you liked this post, you might like these:
- The Power of Purpose: Cutting Stone or Building Cathedrals
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- 5 Ways to Turn Routine into Remarkable
- Ruthless Prioritization: The Heartbeat of Relentless Focus
- More Kairos, Less Chronos (Live More. Work Less.)
- Kairos Time vs. Chronos Time
- Which coffin holds the millionaire? (LinkedIn social post)