Time—we often think of it as the ultimate equalizer. After all, each of us has exactly 24 hours in a day, no more and no less. For years, I’ve approached time as our most precious commodity, a finite resource that, once spent, is gone forever. “We all have the same 24 hours in a day and we are filling them up,” has been a mantra of mine—a reminder to use this limited asset wisely.
But recently, I’ve encountered three perspectives that have challenged my conventional understanding of time, inviting me to consider alternative ways of experiencing this dimension we all inhabit.
First, I recently had the opportunity to interview Kristen Armstrong, CFO of Cheree Berry Paper & Design out of St. Louis for the podcast I host, Enterprise.ing. She recommended the book, 168 Hours: You Have More Time Than You Think, by Laura Vanderkam. Essentially, in a twist to my “we all have the same 24 hours in a day,” this book reminds us that we have 168 hours each week. It encourages us to stop thinking there is not enough time and instead recognize the gift of our 168 hours. Kristen told me that she documents how she spends her time while seeking to intentional with her 168 hours given the number of competing responsibilities she has in her life including, but not limited to running a company, being present for her husband and children, engaging with her friends, playing tennis, reading, and balancing all of that with a desire for eight hours of sleep a night.
Then, at a recent WIRED KC gathering (that’s Women in Real Estate Development, for those unfamiliar), I was struck by something Cherise Sedlock, a commercial realtor and Senior VP of Sales at Select Sites LLC, shared. “I have all of the time to do all of the things I need to do,” she said confidently. Rather than viewing time as a constraint, Cherise approaches it as an expansive resource that adapts to accommodate what truly matters. By consciously engaging with priorities, she experiences time differently—not as a master, but as a companion.
Finally, while listening to NPR’s “The Splendid Table,” I was charmed by author Aimee Nezhukumatathil’s concept of “fruit time” from her book “Bite by Bite: Nourishments and Jamborees.” In discussing her sons, who wear no watches and carry no phones, she noted how they mark seasons: “Children have few markers of time… strawberries means May. June is peaches, August equals watermelons, and September is persimmon.” What a delightful way to experience the passing of months—not by numbers on a calendar, but through the sweetness of seasonal harvests.
These perspectives have me reflecting deeply, especially as my son graduated from college just a few days ago. How is it possible that four years have passed since we first dropped him off on campus? Where did that time go, and did I truly inhabit those moments? Was I present for the journey, or just racing toward destinations?
Perhaps time isn’t merely something to be managed but something to be experienced differently. Maybe by shifting our relationship with time—viewing it as abundant rather than scarce, cyclical rather than linear—we can find greater peace and presence in our daily lives.
As we navigate our busy schedules, here are three ways we might reimagine our relationship with time:
- Embrace abundance thinking about time. Instead of starting your day thinking, “I don’t have enough time,” try Cherise’s approach: “I have all the time I need for what truly matters.” Notice how this shift in mindset affects your sense of urgency, your priorities, and your peace.
- Find your own “fruit time” markers. What natural rhythms could help you experience time more meaningfully? Perhaps it’s the first snow, the blooming of certain flowers, or even the changing menu at your favorite café. Creating personal time markers connects us to cycles larger than our daily to-do lists.
- Practice presence as resistance. In a world that commodifies time, being fully present is a radical act. Try designating certain moments—perhaps the first sip of morning coffee or the walk from your car to your office—as anchors for mindfulness, small opportunities to step outside the rushing current.
Time will continue to flow, whether we’re watching the clock or not. The question is: how will we choose to experience it? Perhaps by loosening our grip on those precious minutes and hours, we might find they expand to hold more life than we ever imagined possible.
Happy Networking!