Merriam Webster defines time as:
time noun (\ ˈtīm \ )
1a: the measured or measurable period during which an action, process, or condition exists or continues
b: a nonspatial continuum that is measured in terms of events which succeed one another from past through present to future
Honestly, the definitions go on and on! There are SO many! (14 to be exact!) But these two definitions seem to sum it up.
1a: the measured or measurable period during which an action, process, or condition exists or continues
As a society, we have all decided to measure time in seconds, minutes, hours, days, weeks, months, and years.
We have all agreed on the unit of measure so that we can communicate clearly about what we do and the expectations surrounding what we do.
But it’s a human made idea…
b: a nonspatial continuum that is measured in terms of events which succeed one another from past through present to future
Time is a construct that we use to navigate…it really doesn’t exist. Sometimes time moves really fast, sometimes it D-R-A-G-S—O-N—F-O-R-E-V-E-R!
That’s because it’s fluid, we don’t notice it when we’re having a good time. We just flow with it.
People have their own time.
Some people move:
- Really fast and as soon as an idea pops into their head they are ON IT!
- Slower. When an idea pops into their head, they have to sit on it for a while before taking any real action.
- At the pace of a glacier (me). An idea pops into their head and they sit on it for what seems like years.
I figured this out when I was closing up my father’s home after he passed. I would just sit there and look at all his stuff, knowing that I needed to pack it up. Days were spent just looking at the stuff until one day I got up and packed one box, that’s it, just one.
Then another couple of days would go by and the poof! Another box or two would get packed. I allowed myself the time and space to feel all the feelings (I mean, my dad did just pass), but also kept my eye on what needed to be done, even if I wasn’t doing it that day. (Gold star given just for looking at it!)
My discovery
One day I was sitting with my sister, and I said something about hiring a cleaner and how it was not looking good. She immediately got up, got the cleaning supplies, and started in on cleaning the house. I watched her and thought, “Hmm, wonder what got into her.”
She then started displaying some upset and I asked her about it. She said that, after my talking about the cleaners, she thought I expected her to clean the house because I didn’t get up and start in on it.
We had the chance to sit down and talk about how I say or talk about something and then sit on it…sometimes for a very long time (talking days, weeks, months, maybe even years here). For me this time is all about letting the idea, issue, or problem percolate.
As I explained to my sister, “I’ve let the universe know about it, now I sit and wait patiently for it to work on it and when it’s time it’ll come back up and I’ll be able to move forward with it.”
Embracing the Woo-Woo
Yep, VERY woo-woo, I know. But it works for me, AND everything seems to work out in the right time. A few days later, I got a call from one of the cleaning services that said they were available on the days I needed them, and they would be happy to help.
The point is that my sister and I run on different times. She’s a get up and get it done now kinda gal, and I’m a sit on it and see what comes up kinda gal. Both ways work wonderfully well and both ways can seem a little off to the other.
Figuring out “my time” has given me a release and freedom of self and expectations that I’ve never known before. It allows me to honor both my process and others without judgment.
Do you know your time?
Take a look at how you operate in the world. Are you someone who hears an idea and:
- Jumps on it? Immediately working all the angles and learning all the things? Getting it done in record time?
- Sits for a minute? Soaking it in? Taking a moment to let it settle before jumping into action?
- Really steeps in it? Taking the time to watch, explore, see how others are doing it, and fully learn the concepts BEFORE ever stepping a toe into the water? Then seemingly jump to the front of the line once action takes place?
Are you being true to your self or are you trying to be something you’re not? For years I tried to be the one who jumps on it, and it has always turned into a disaster…it’s just not me. Now I know that it’s just my time and I don’t have to rush it.
What do you think your time is? Let me know in the comments or on the Dodona Coaching Facebook post!
Until next time: Keep your eyes on the horizon, your hands on the wheel, and your foot on the GAS!
Let’s DO THIS!!