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18.Awareness of time


Have you ever sat down with a clear objective only to find yourself two hours later inexplicably lost in the depths of YouTube cat compilations and historical reenactments? We’ve all been there. In today’s world, our brains are bombarded with a relentless stream of information, making it a constant battle to hold onto that most precious resource: time.

This phenomenon, aptly named “time blindness,” affects us all to varying degrees. Take Rajiv, for example. A brilliant and resourceful individual, he sets out to conquer his essay with a deadline of 2 PM. However, his brain, a master manipulator, throws a curveball—a “quick Instagram check” that morphs into a procrastination vortex of online courses, free alternatives, and celebrity gossip. By the time he emerges from this digital rabbit hole, not only has the deadline vanished, but his motivation and focus have been ruthlessly stolen.

On the other end of the spectrum lies Kumar. He dives headfirst into his research, meticulously dissecting intricate details. Hours melt away unnoticed as he becomes hyper-focused, oblivious to the outside world. He misses a crucial meeting and his ride home—a victim of a different form of time blindness, one where internal cues are simply absent.

The reality is, most of us fall somewhere between Rajiv and Kumar. We experience both sides of the time blindness coin: the alluring siren song of distraction and the consuming black hole of hyperfocus.

While external reminders like alarms and check-ins with friends can be helpful, relying solely on them won’t magically solve time blindness.

Many of us fall into this trap: setting reminders, hitting snooze on alarms, and delegating nudges to others. But the reality is, unless deadlines loom large, our brains often resist getting started.

This behavior is rooted in our biology. Over time, our brains have learned to prioritize comfort and safety. Postponing tasks perceived as difficult or boring is a natural survival mechanism. It’s like having an overprotective parent—our brains try to shield us from discomfort. Unfortunately, this can hinder our development. Identity, a core function of the brain, plays a crucial role in prioritizing tasks. When our brains lack a clear sense of self and purpose, it becomes challenging to decide what needs to be done and when.

This creates a tangled web of thoughts and beliefs that can lead to procrastination. The clock might scream “start now,” but our brains counter with a tempting “five more minutes.” Overcoming this internal resistance requires consistent effort.

The good news? Overcoming this doesn’t require immediate perfection or constant discipline. Here’s the key: consistency is about frequency, not flawlessly following a rigid plan. Break down daunting tasks into small, doable steps (more about this later). By taking frequent, manageable actions, we can train our brains to navigate discomfort and build a stronger sense of purpose.

  1. Consistent does not mean perfect. Aim for progress, not perfection. A few missed reminders or occasional slip-ups are okay.
  2. Consistent does not mean difficult. Start small! Focus on manageable steps that won’t overwhelm you.
  3. Consistent does not mean disciplined. Don’t get discouraged by the word “discipline.” Consistency is about creating a habit, not white-knuckling your way through every task.
  4. Consistent only means frequently and in small, doable steps. Do something, however small, frequently. Setting out for optimal responses will only lead to burnout; we are not looking for quick change but sustainable change.

Here are three effective tactics to help with time blindness. For now, focus on building awareness and accountability. It’s okay if you don’t start the task right away. We’re just working on recognizing the time and the mental chatter that distracts us.

The timer tactic

“Timeboxing is a time management technique that involves allocating a fixed amount of time, known as a “timebox,” to a specific task or activity. “

Objective: Train your brain to start tasks with minimal resistance by using a timer and recognizing internal resistance.

  • Use a timer or alarm for one task: Choose a task you’d like to complete and set a timer for it. For example, if you need to wake up early, set an alarm.
  • Convert the task into a doable action: Break the task into the absolute tiniest steps. For waking up early, this might be just rolling out of bed. If the task is writing an essay, the smallest step could be opening your laptop and creating a document.
  • Observe your internal resistance: When the timer or alarm goes off, take note of all the excuses and thoughts your brain generates to prevent you from starting the task. This could be thoughts like, “I’m too tired,” or “I’ll just stay in bed for five more minutes.”
  • Acknowledge the resistance: Verbally acknowledge the resistance. For example, “It’s 6:00 AM, and I’m not getting out of bed because my brain tells me I’m too tired.” This helps in identifying and confronting the internal dialogue that leads to procrastination.

Attention sinkholes

Objective: Manage time spent on attention-draining activities and smoothly transition back to productive tasks.

  • Set a time limit: Before you start using Instagram, YouTube, or any other attention sinkhole, decide on a time limit. It could be 5, 10, or even 30 minutes. Remember, the longer you spend, the fuzzier your brain might get.
  • Plan the next task: Before you start, decide on a task you’ll do after your set time period ends. Break this task into one doable step. For example, if you plan to start writing a report, the first step could be opening your document.
  • Set a timer: Start the timer for your decided duration.
  • Observe your chatter: When the timer goes off, note all the thoughts and excuses your brain generates to continue the activity. For example, “I want to keep scrolling because I’m curious about this video” or “5 minutes more.”.
  • Acknowledge the reason: Verbally acknowledge the reason for your reluctance and observe how you are thinking and feeling. For example, “I’m choosing not to stop scrolling because my brain tells me this video is interesting.” This helps in recognizing the mental patterns that contribute to prolonged distraction.

The talking clock

Objective: Enhance time awareness through auditory cues.

  • Set Up a talking clock: If you have access to a talking clock on your phone or PC, set it up to announce the time hourly. If a talking clock isn’t available, set an hourly alarm.
  • Read the time out loud: When the alarm or talking clock sounds, read the time out loud. For example, “It’s 3:00 PM now.”
  • Reflect on time passage: Take a moment to reflect on what you’ve done in the past hour and what you need to do next. This practice can help you stay aware of time and improve your ability to manage it.

The Pomodoro

The Pomodoro Technique is a time management method developed by Francesco Cirillo in the late 1980s. It’s a simple yet powerful strategy for overcoming procrastination, improving productivity, and cultivating awareness of time.

  • Set a timer: Choose a task you want to work on and set a timer for 25 minutes, known as one “Pomodoro” interval.
  • Work: Focus solely on the task at hand for the duration of the Pomodoro. If you are distracted, remember that it’s only a few more minutes until you get a break.
  • Take a short break: Once the timer rings, take a short break, typically 5 minutes. Use this time to relax, stretch, or grab a drink.
  • Repeat: After completing one Pomodoro and taking a short break, repeat the process. After four Pomodoro’s, take a longer break, usually around 15–30 minutes.

The Pomodoro Technique leverages the principles of timeboxing and frequent breaks to enhance focus, productivity, and awareness. By breaking work into manageable intervals, we prevent burnout, maintain motivation, and improve self-awareness.

So there you have it, intrepid time traveler! We’ve delved into the rabbit hole of time blindness, emerged (hopefully) a little wiser, and armed with some nifty tools to fight the good fight against the sneaky sandman of wasted hours. Remember, conquering time blindness isn’t about becoming a productivity robot – it’s about befriending your brain, understanding its quirks, and working with it, not against it.