BTW- I'm not talking sci-fi here. I'm talking about our warped misunderstanding of time's purpose and sharing some time truths to get our relationships with time back on track. 

Time - it marches relentlessly forward, indifferent to our desires. The hours tick by, days blur into weeks, and years fly past in the blink of an eye. We become enslaved to time, rushing to pack as much as possible into each moment. But what if we viewed time differently - not as a dictator to be obeyed, but as a partner to be embraced? This subtle shift in perspective can empower us to live more intentionally and fully savor each present moment.

Today, I share eight truths about time that are often warped by our perceptions and an example of how those perceptions can be lived out once we drop our misunderstood and warped ways.

Eight Truths About Time and How It Looks When We Live It:

1. Time is a construct - While linear clock time feels concrete, it is an invention of human culture and perception. Recognizing the fluidity of time can free us from the tyranny of rigid schedules. Need an example of how this changes perspective? After learning time is a construct, Mark starts working based on his natural energy cycles rather than standard business hours. He finds he's more productive and creative when he feels most inspired, often later at night.

2. The present is all we have - Dwelling on past regrets or future worries is an illusion. The only time we can experience is the present moment. Maria used to dwell on her past mistakes and fear the future. But after realizing the present is all she has, she starts living in the now, enjoying simple moments like conversations with friends or morning coffee. She's less anxious and more peaceful.

3. Not all minutes are created equal - Time flows subjectively, expanding and contracting based on our engagement. Minutes spent on activities that energize us feel fuller than those drained by frustration. We can choose how to craft each minute. Understanding that since time flows subjectively, John stops watching the clock when engrossed in activities like playing guitar or doing woodworking. He savors the feeling of getting lost in the moment, doing things he loves, and finding inner joy.

4. Slow down and savor - Rushing mindlessly through life leads to overload, stress, and missed opportunities. Intentionally slowing down has benefits for focus, gratitude, and mental health. To slow down and savor more, Simone establishes a daily ritual of unplugging from technology for an hour to sit outside and observe nature. Tuning into the present renews her creativity.

5. Set priorities, not schedules - Rigid schedules constrain us while identifying true priorities allows flexibility and focus—structure time around what matters most. Realizing rigid schedules cause stress, John identifies his top priorities each week rather than scheduling every minute. He has space to spontaneously meet a friend or take a walk, enhancing life balance.

6. Accept impermanence - Letting go of the illusion of permanence and control can reduce anxiety. Embrace the ephemeral beauty of each fleeting moment. Accepting impermanence helps Cara appreciate treasured moments with her grandmother after a health scare, knowing their time together is precious and fleeting.

7. Rest and recharge - Downtime, nature, and recreation renew us. Balance doing with simply being. Rest and recharging become crucial for Ryan. He starts taking mini-breaks to meditate at work and unplug one day a week for nature hikes to destress.

8. Let go of perfection - Precision is impossible with time’s subjectivity. Accept life’s natural messy eloquence. When Laura realized that despite her exhaustive planning, things would always come up she couldn't predict - a vendor would be late, and it would rain unexpectedly, or other unplanned surprises. She started to understand perfection was an unrealistic goal. This insight allowed Laura to start loosening up and embracing life's natural imperfections. She began building buffers into her event timelines and having contingency plans for potential mishaps and learned that real life is messy.

Goodness! Which of these "truths" do you need a shift in to improve your relationship to time that could make significant changes in your life right now? I know I'm still working towards my warped relationship with time. As always, I invite you to reply and share your thoughts with me!

DeShawn Wert teaches intelligent, motivated professionals how to get stuff done so they CAN relax and enjoy the fruits of their labor! Let's explore how you do your best work together. An Ericson-trained life coach and JTS Coaching-trained ADHD coach, DeShawn is a member of good standing in the ADHD Coaches Organization. She's contributed to several books on living with ADHD, including Dr. Dale Archer's book, The ADHD Advantage, and Laurie Dupar's series called More Ways to Succeed with ADHD.