Photo courtesy of the wonderful Ali Edwards. Simple Manifesto: Break Free from the Tyranny of the Clock
“But what minutes! Count them by sensation, and not by calendars, and each moment is a day.” - Benjamin Disraeli
For tens of thousands of years, human beings didn’t have clocks. They lived, amazingly, by the sun and the moon and seasons and the needs and rhythms of their bodies.
The clock is a very very recent invention, and even more recent is our modern society’s slavish adherence to the dictatorship of the clock.
Only very recently have we been forced to work from 8 to 5, and to go to school and follow a very rigid class schedule. Only very recently have we become obsessed with tracking and making use of every minute, so that we have things to do when we’re waiting for other things to happen.
Only recently did we begin to lose our humanity, begin to lose the art of conversation and the art of listening to our bodies, begin to lose sight of what’s really important and begin to become robots.
I’m as guilty as anyone else, but as I simply my life I begin to question the culture that surrounds me and wonder why it is that I feel so pressured to do things so quickly, by a timeline or schedule set by others, to be so productive when what I really want is to be happy.
Have you ever felt that way? I know I’m not alone.
I have a solution, and it’s not original I’m sure but it surely isn’t as common as it should be: break free from the clock. Get in touch with the rhythms of life, of your body and of nature. Be more relaxed and reject the notion that time rules us.
The Benefits of Being Free of Clockhood
Now, I’m not saying that we should throw our clocks and watches away (though I don’t own a watch) … I’m not saying we should all quit our jobs and go live in the woods. I know that my reality is different from most people, as I’m my own boss — but ask yourself, is it possible for you to be your own boss? And if not, is it possible at least to find a job where you can set your own schedule? For many people, it is possible. For others, you won’t be able to live all the tenets of this manifesto, but you can change smaller things, here and there.
Why should you change things? Because the clock is meaningless — we follow it without really realizing why. We follow it because we’ve been raised to believe we should, and because those who control us (bosses, corporations, schools, etc.) set schedules we must follow. The clock, then, is a means to control us — and that, in my book, is as good a reason to break free from it as any.
Beyond issues of freedom, breaking free from the clock is healthier. It’s healthier to follow your natural sleep rhythms, to eat when you’re hungry rather than when it’s time to eat, to live a more relaxed schedule rather than to be stressed out all the time trying to meet deadlines and follow artificial schedules.
How to Break Free
It’s probably not advisable to try to change your life drastically, if you are interested in breaking free of the clock’s tyranny. Change things a little at a time. Below are a few things I’ve been doing, or that I’m trying to do, that you might consider. You don’t have to do all of them — pick one and give it a try, and see if it is useful. The list, of course, isn’t comprehensive, but I hope it helps you spark some ideas of your own.
- Don’t eat on the clock. Why do you think we’re taught to eat “three squares a day”? In human history, this is a very strange concept. People used to eat when they were hungry (or at least, when the food was available), not at predetermined times of the day. The answer, of course, is that it is a better structure for industrialized corporations — people, in the early days of working in factories, had to be broken from their natural eating patterns and only given one meal break a day. Too many eating breaks means lost profits! So we learned to eat before work, then once during work, then after work. Partly as a result of that, we’re ravenous during lunch and dinner times, and we overeat. And we eat unhealthy stuff because of our ravenous hunger, and we get fat. Instead, learn to listen to your body, and eat when you get a little hungry. Grazing is a good thing, actually. Eat healthy stuff if you can, and don’t eat beyond what it takes to satisfy your body’s hunger. Don’t eat if you’re not hungry just because it’s time to eat. Learn to trust your body’s hunger signals, and you’ll become much healthier.
- Don’t work on the clock. We work on set schedules for the same reason — for corporations to maximize profits. But we don’t need to be controlled by corporations. If you have the chance to set your own schedule, learn to find the times when you have the most energy, and do your important work at these times. Learn to follow your passion, and do work that gets you excited, and you’ll do a better job. Many companies these days allow people to change their schedules and work from anywhere — these are the companies you want to work for (unless you can find a way to work for yourself). These are the companies of the future, that recognize that people aren’t robots and need to be able to work whenever they want, as long as they get the work done.
- Do fewer things. This is a maxim of Zen Habits, of course — do the important stuff, not just busywork. Do less, but focus on the high-impact stuff. I’m repeating it here because it’s an important cornerstone of the clockless method: if you do fewer things, you can do them at a more relaxed pace, instead of rushing to try to do everything within a set schedule. This rule applies not only to your work life, but to your life in general — do fewer errands, chores, civic activities, etc. in order to have a more relaxed schedule.
- A more relaxed schedule. Once you’ve learned to do fewer things, and to work when your energy is high, you can learn to structure your day at a more relaxed pace. Leave lots of space between appointments so that you have transition time to get ready, to get to where you need to go, to finish up what you were doing, without having to rush. Or better yet, avoid making appointments. Know what you want to do today, but do them in any order you like and at whatever time works best for you.
- Meditate and/or exercise. These two related activities allow you to get more in touch with yourself, you inner mind, and with the world around you. If you sit in an office all day, when will you get outside to breathe fresh air and see what the sky looks like? If you don’t stop doing the million things you do every day, when will you be able to close your eyes and listen to what is happening within you? While you don’t need to meditate or exercise every day, I highly recommend it.
- Take naps. Naps have been given a bad name (though they seem to be making a comeback), mostly because people who take naps are seen as lazy. Yet in many countries outside the United States, people take regular naps in the afternoons (think siestas) and in my opinion, this is a more enlightened way of living. Since working from home, I have discovered the power of the nap, and have come to look forward to it almost as much as I look forward to exercise. When you find yourself getting tired in the middle of the day, listen to your body and sleep.
- Learn to listen to your intuition. We have become out of touch with our intuitions. Now, I’m not a new-agey hippy type (not that there’s anything wrong with that), but I do believe that listening to our bodies and our non-rational minds has a lot of value. It is healthier and saner. However, it’s not easy to learn — it takes time, and it takes listening. Try it today, and see if you can stop resisting your intuition and live more in tune with yourself.
- Take time to talk and connect. How many times have you run into a friend or family member, said a quick hello, and then moved on because you were in a hurry? When did we lose touch with our fellow human beings? I believe that this is a key to our dehumanization, to our becoming robots: we no longer connect with other people as much as we used to do. We’ve lost the skills necessary to have an enjoyable, relaxed conversation. We’ve lost the institutions that encourage discussion and debate and thinking and participation. Instead, we watch TV and stare at the computer and sit in our cubicles and our one-person cars and rarely if ever make human contact. This separation disempowers us (if that’s even a word, but it should be), and makes us powerless and inhuman. Instead, next time you see someone you know (or even if you don’t know them), stop, breathe, smile, relax, talk, listen.
- Spend time on the important things. Another maxim of Zen Habits, of course: learn to step back and think about what’s important in your life. Learn to spend time doing these things instead of the things that have naturally come to fill your life. Forget about schedules and clocks and instead focus on what’s important. You’ll be glad you did.
“Time is but the stream I go a-fishing in.” - Henry David Thoreau
If you liked this article, please share it on del.icio.us, StumbleUpon or Digg. I’d appreciate it. :)
—
Note: Thanks, everyone for your patience while I was on leave. :) The combination of my illness and a looming book deadline kept me away, and you all have been wonderfully understanding. Next week, I shall have more posts but I won’t be around much for comments because I am finishing up the book!
- Posted on 23 April 2008 in Happiness, Simplicity |
- Digg |
- Del.icio.us |
- Stumble |
Comments (120)
Daniel Says:
April 23rd, 2008, 23:58 pm
Great list Leo! Although I think I’d add that singletasking has been given a bad name as well. Hope it makes a comeback too. Tomorrow, let’s do what’s important, and then take a nap!
Clay Collins | How I Ditched my Alarm Clock and Why I’m Never Looking Back Says:
April 23rd, 2008, 23:58 pm
Great article. I ditched my alarm clock awhile ago and am never looking back (click on my name for a post about how I did it and associated data).
I’d like to extend the clock ditching to other areas of my life and this post provides a great how-to guide.
–Clay
Ivan Says:
April 24th, 2008, 0:10 am
Great article, very inspiring! Thank you!
no. 1: That’s right! But pay attention that you don’t “forget” to eat. I know a lot of people who doesn’t eat regularly because they have “more important” things to do. For those people a eating-schedule might be better.
no. 2: I think even when you are not your own boss you can adjust your schedule. I have my work to do - no doubt - but I try to do the difficult things at the times of my energy highs. In my energy lows I do the routine and the easy things (like process my inbox, write some easy mails, do my planning). To find out when my highs and lows are, I asked me every hour how high my energy is (from 1 to 7). I did this for three day and now I have a good picture about my energy-cycles.
Lisa Says:
April 24th, 2008, 0:20 am
when you have time for leisure reading, you might check out Jay Griffith’s book of essays on time- “A Sideways Look at Time”- it’s full of much food for thought, and fun reading, to boot!
Chris Austria Says:
April 24th, 2008, 0:26 am
Glad you’re back dude…I am an educator and during the school year I am ver conscious of the clock but during the summer break, I don’t even pay attention to it.
You are totaly right that we become enslaved by the clock. But isn’t this more about culture though? When I travel, I see that other cultures see time and clock differently as we, Americans, do.
MrAchievement.com (Stanley Bronstein) Says:
April 24th, 2008, 0:44 am
My best moments are when time ceases to exist.
You sit down, you work, you relax, you do whatever it is you want to do, BUT time is not a part of it.
One thing I recently did was create a master checklist that contains everything I’m supposed to do each day. I then sit in front of my computer and start doing it. I don’t pay attention to the time, I just sit down, zone out, and focus on the task at hand.
That is the key.
Unfortunately, not everyone is as fortunate as I am to be my own boss and to sometimes be able to work from home. Being able to do that makes it a heck of a lot easier to escape the enslavement of the clock.
MrAchievement
Stanley Bronstein
Attorney, CPA, Author, Blogger & Professional Motivational Speaker
Tad Says:
April 24th, 2008, 0:46 am
Leo,
Great ideas. Learning to read your body instead of having a daily schedule is great! Eat when you NEED to eat, not when it’s “lunchtime.”
magpie Says:
April 24th, 2008, 0:49 am
This is a beautiful post. I’ve only been reading your blog for a few weeks, but I feel like everything you say is so simple and relevant. I recently quit my job (yesterday) and I’m trying to figure out what’s important to me… and reading posts like this does help, a lot. Thanks :)
Leo Says:
April 24th, 2008, 0:51 am
Thanks for the great comments everyone!
@Chris Austria: It’s definitely a cultural thing. Many cultures are not enslaved to the clock to the same extent that we are. But … unfortunately, the trend is for other cultures to take on our culture’s characteristics, especially when it comes to economics. Sometimes it’s forced upon them by corporations.
Eugene (Editor, Varsity Blah) Says:
April 24th, 2008, 0:59 am
Great article, Leo. And welcome back! It really does come down to breaking free from the modern world and learning to connect again. It’s something I’ve written about before:
“Technology may profess to be bringing us closer together, but all it seems to be doing (other than creating an entire generation who can’t spell) is moving us further apart. We’re forgetting what it’s like to interact with each other on an organic level. Nowadays, it’s damn near impossible to have a conversation without whoever you’re trying to talk to keeping at least one earphone still plugged in and/or constantly reaching for their phone. What ever happened to undivided attention and good old-fashioned eye contact?”
(From Slap in the Face!)
Shari Says:
April 24th, 2008, 1:17 am
This is a great list full of excellent ideas which are quite unrealistic for the vast majority of people who aren’t able to make choices about when they do things.
This article is a great reflection of how life can and should be lived by people who are well enough off to exercise such freedoms. Everyone else has to eat, sleep, and relax when their boss’s and their work circumstances permit them to do so.
Vered - MomGrind Says:
April 24th, 2008, 1:21 am
I completely agree that we live in an over-stressed, over-hurried world that puts pressure on us to “use” every single minute.
I agree that this pressure is damaging and I LOVE your input about relaxing our schedules and our expectations.
But hey, I don’t feel “dehumanized”… I think you can live on a schedule (I am a highly scheduled person; no plans to ditch my clock any time soon :) and still have great, highly satisfying social interactions.
We often have friends over for leisurely evenings of drinks, food and conversation. Those evenings are planned and carefully scheduled - we invite people for a specific day and time, they RSVP and show up (mostly) on time.
But then we start mixing the drinks, listening to music, laughing and relaxing together. Hosting these gatherings leaves me energized for weeks and weeks after they’re over, even thought they are always well-orchestrated and planned in advance.
Leo Says:
April 24th, 2008, 1:35 am
@Shari: I hear what you’re saying, but trust me, as someone whose life was at the whim and mercy of other people for a long time, it is possible to change. It won’t happen overnight, but you can gradually choose jobs and a life that give you more flexibility. Even if you don’t, some of the tips can be incorporated — doing less, perhaps, and definitely not eating on a schedule (pack snacks and small meals to eat at work).
@Vered: As a lifelong scheduler myself, I know where you’re coming from, and you make some good points. I guess what I’m trying to say, about the socialization aspect of scheduling, is what about unscheduled socializing? What happens when you meet someone you haven’t seen for awhile but who isn’t on your schedule? For many people, that means a quick hello, how are you, and goodbye. In centuries past (and for some cultures still), those people would stop and chat for as long as it took to connect and catch up. In today’s society, that’s a luxury not often found.
I’m not saying we’re all robots and dehumanized … what I’m saying is that society’s insistence that we follow rigid schedules, set by others in many cases, is a way of dehumanizing us, of disconnecting us from our bodies, from nature, from having control over our lives that humans once had but no longer have.
The very fact that Shari, in the comment above yours, said that most people don’t have enough control over their lives to realistically implement any of these tips shows that most people are controlled by schedules to an extent that humans have never been before. It’s unfortunate, in my mind, but reversible if we want to reverse it.
CindySense Says:
April 24th, 2008, 1:35 am
I think it’s a GREAT list! I would love to “throw my alarm clock away” but as my job wont allow it - so be it.
I disagree with Shari, I really don’t think most of the items on the list are unrealistic. I think we put more on ourselves than need be. For most of us we work 40 hrs a week - and we are in control of the remaining 128 hours.
We can all meditate and/or exercise, and can usually take the time for mini naps, and can learn to do fewer things. Everyone should learn to listen to their intuition and to “connect.”
For some people it’s fine to eat only when their bodies tell them to - for others it’s not. If I don’t eat every 3 to 4 hours I get phsyically sick - And I’m not always hungry - so I’ve learned to watch the clock and be sure that I am constantly feeding my body - so I can perform at my best.
pavs Says:
April 24th, 2008, 2:36 am
Leo coming from NY I can relate to your point number 8. People are always in a rush over here. If you ever take a train full of people, you will be lucky if someone looks you in the eyes to give a smile. I have lived this life for so long that I am always in a rush, even on my days off when I have nothing to do at all.
It’s a habit that I am trying to loose.
michi Says:
April 24th, 2008, 2:59 am
Somewhat related, I have given up resisting time.
As a law student, I have to attend classes at set times. I cannot completely ditch clocks…but I can stop resisting time.
Resisting time: counting down the minutes/days, either in positive anticipation or negative. Or, realising how much time has passed from an event and wishing it were farther away/nearer, temporally.
For example, “5 minutes til class is over!” - “Two hours til I have to give that speech!” - “Wow, that vacation was great, and it was just yesterday…feels like ages away…wasn’t it great? Let’s remember what it was like”
You get the idea.
It’s resisting the flow of time. I catch myself doing it, realise I’ve done it, chuckle at/with myself and get back to Life Right Now.
Andrew is getting fit Says:
April 24th, 2008, 3:11 am
Ooh…I’m one of those annoying people who likes things on a fixed schedule.
To every thing there is a time…
Daniel Richard | Winning Everyone Says:
April 24th, 2008, 3:21 am
I’m one of those who like to plan scheduled meetings ahead of time.
Chris Says:
April 24th, 2008, 3:34 am
Oh man, I’ve been wanting to do the eat when you’re hungry thing for a while, but I never find myself making time to just grab something and stay satisfied for a whole day. I’ll either let myself get really hungry or I’ll sleep late, wake up, eat something really small, then eat a huge meal at lunch. But yeah I’ll try and be more conscious about eating often and in small portions.
Made me think about it more XD, the other things I’ll try to work on during the summer…might be fun =D
Robin Turner Says:
April 24th, 2008, 3:58 am
I’m reminded of a Zen story …
A Zen master was approached by a disciple of the Pure Land sect who said: “My master can stand on one side of a river, take a brush in his hand and write the sacred name of Amithaba on a paper held on the the other side of the river. Can any of you Zen monks perform a miracle compared to that?”
The master replied: “My miracle is that when I am hungry, I eat, and when I am tired, I sleep.”
Gregg Says:
April 24th, 2008, 6:15 am
These are wonderful suggestions, Leo, but it pains me to read it.
I’d love to follow your advice. But I work 12 miles from home, must take the El and buses to get there, have to follow the clock, and my job is centered on deadlines, yearly, monthly, weekly, and daily.
I’m a copyeditor for a Chicago publisher.
Could you adapt your list for those that have to live on the clock?
For instance, I’m given a specific lunch time.
So, when you say “if you can set your own schedule,” then it rankles rather than helps.
Thanks for listening.
Gregg
P.S. I do love your work, btw!
Simple Mom Says:
April 24th, 2008, 7:00 am
I’m nursing my second-born right now, and I don’t do it on a schedule (he’s only 4 months old). With my first-born, I stuck more to a schedule, and it just really wasn’t as enjoyable for me as it is with this one. I feed him when he’s hungry; I don’t when he’s not. We have a great rhythm, and I find myself connecting to him earlier on than I did with my daughter. It’s been wonderful to throw out the clock in this arena.
Feeding him is a great daily reminder for myself to eat only when I’m hungry. I truly wish I could be more event-oriented than time-oriented in all areas of my life like this.
Keith Says:
April 24th, 2008, 7:23 am
Working for yourself goes a long way towards clocklessness. Whenever I get an administrative day the clock has very little to do with my tasks. Just get the MITs done as quickly as possible. Clients, however expect you to get their tasks done and tell you when they will be started and finished. Just getting across DC from Virginia takes up to two hours which has to be tallied into the schedule.
Michi’s comment on resisting time is apt. Traffic - I’ll get there when I get there. To do an excellent job will take as long as it takes. As I get older time means less. The young just naturally run faster. Now I am more likely to incorporate rest, reading, and down time. I I finish a job early I might not expect myself back at the office/home until 6 and take time to visit a park, take a walk or read by the river for an hour.
Matt Says:
April 24th, 2008, 7:33 am
Great list Leo - listening to our bodies and removing the constraints of the clock is definitely worth trying (though my mind has quietly been telling me this for years).
Good Luck finishing the book.
SpaceAgeSage Says:
April 24th, 2008, 7:51 am
Debt allows others to control me. Working for others allows them to control my time.
Do I want to break free — which is rarely easy — and risk completely altering my life to have more control, or am I willing to pay the price of being controlled: stress, always playing catch-up, being at someone’s beck and call, being told what to do, and having my life structured for the productivity and pleasure of someone else, who gets more reward for my efforts than I do?
The thing is, we have become wired to our Matrix work-a-day world. One has to think outside the box to escape.
Jeff@My Super-Charged Life Says:
April 24th, 2008, 8:05 am
Leo,
You have convicted me today. I am such a slave to the clock! I hate to be late or running behind. I pressure myself all the time to get more done, do things faster, and to get going to get there. I certainly need to take your advice. I have experienced the bliss of being free from the clock and I have witnessed others that are free, but I still seem to fall back into the same old trap.
I’m going to read back over your suggestions and try to apply them. Thanks!
Corey - Simple Marriage Project Says:
April 24th, 2008, 8:19 am
Love it. Why do we feel so tied to time? Slow down, focus on what’s important and enjoy life. What about throwing away the relational clock as well. Don’t get so caught up in where you should be after so many months or years. Focus on savoring the moment. You’ll get more out of life.
Great thoughts.
Eva Says:
April 24th, 2008, 8:26 am
Great post, as usual. Glad to see you back. Yours is one of the few blogs in my blogroll that I read consistently every day. Congratulations on the book as well.
Wendi Kelly Says:
April 24th, 2008, 8:29 am
THe older I get, the less controlled I want to be by anything. I never wake up to an alarm clock. I want the birds and the sun to be the first thing I am greeted with each morning.
Of course, that means having the discipline to go to bed at a decent hour!
Having school aged kids does keep us somewhat regimented though.
It’s a balance.
The Financial Philosopher Says:
April 24th, 2008, 8:29 am
Leo, you asked, “is it possible for you to be your own boss?”
Everyone should answer, yes, to the question. Whether or not we are self-employed or work for “the man,” we are the masters of our destiny.
As long as we are free to make our own decisions, we are not “stuck.”
Your post, however, is a wonderful step in the direction of freedom by inspiring the readers to drop some of the chains that bind our freedom…
Rachel Says:
April 24th, 2008, 8:36 am
I have three children and MUST live by the clock. They will put you in jail if you don’t send your children to school. I guess I could home school but then I would be in the crazy house. I do so love 8pm (bedtime), however, I have always believed that if we listened to our intuitions we would avoid bad situations, even disaster. If you think something might be happening it probably is. If you have a bad feeling that something might happen, don’t do it. Listen to yourself. Thanks for the post. It was great.
Teresa Says:
April 24th, 2008, 8:38 am
Great post! Since becoming largely self-employed, I’ve started putting the clock back where it belongs–something to glance at to make sure I’m not late for something fun, such as dance class or a date with friends. Still a work in progress!
Any thoughts on the challenge of switching to a more natural schedule without totally inconveniencing a a liife partner who’s still in a conventional job? My creative rhythms kick into high gear during the evening, but that’s when my husband is home from work and would like to do something with me other than staring at the back of my head as I write (and I can’t exactly fault him for wanting to Do Fun Stuff with me, can I?).
Albert @ Headspace (http://thoughtsintime.co.za/) Says:
April 24th, 2008, 8:42 am
Of course it is good to get a little balance between schedule and spontaneity sometimes. But I suspect that in the end the clocks and our ambiguous relationship with them are here to stay.
When I get too obsessed with time and efficiency, it makes sense to toss the time machine.
But when I flake out too much, a little schedule and tautness often do the trick.
It is that old love-hate relationship with time that Tom Lutz describes so beautifully in “Doing Nothing”
Albert @ Headspace
http://thoughtsintime.co.za
t Says:
April 24th, 2008, 8:46 am
This is interesting. I find myself wondering, though, whether your comments about how “People used to eat when they were hungry… not at predetermined times of the day.” (and similar comments about work-times) are really accurate.
For example, my husband grew up in a small town in south India. When I visit, life does change paces dramatically - but I’m not sure it’s quite the way you describe, because if anything certain things become *more* regimented. Everyone wakes up early, with the sun. Refrigeration is minimal, and essentially every meal involves cooking, so every meal is a family affair, and there is extremely little snacking between meals. Work, particularly farm work, happens on a rhythm that’s dictated by where the sun is in the sky - not timed down to 5 minute intervals, but, honestly, it feels far more regular than my own life here in a standard professional job.
I do think that the rhythms there tend to make me a happier person than the ones here - but, really, I think it may be for a reason that’s related to the ones you describe here, but with an important distinction: rather than following my bodies rhythms *instead* of those of a clock, I’m arranging my life with such regularity from day to day that my body rhythms become *aligned* with those I need to live by to maintain my work and family patterns. It doesn’t occur to me to think “oh, well, I’ll just stay up ’til midnight tonight because it’s saturday and then sleep in tomorrow but then get up early again Monday…” I just never let my schedule get out of alignment to begin with.
I also muse sometimes about one probably crazy extension of these thoughts, which is how my life would shift if I cut back dramatically on my exposure to artificial light (particularly in the evenings) and increased my exposure to sunlight (particularly in the mornings).
Anyways, that’s my 2cents! Great topic, btw.
Flint Says:
April 24th, 2008, 8:52 am
Nice post, and again good luck with the book :)
I have made peace with the need for set times in the work week. However on weekends I have been trying to break away from time awareness as much as possible (unless of course I have arranged to do something with someone at a certain time). I have stopped wearing a watch on weekends, get up when I feel I’m ready to (still early), eat when I’m hungry, do things pretty much at a pace that suits me.
Dr. Bardou Says:
April 24th, 2008, 8:58 am
I don’t live on the clock, and I have no clock. I have not normalized day. And I feel free myself, it’s a good feeling. Your advices in this post are right. I sure every man can brake his daily routine if he becomes freelancer.
Michael Moniz Says:
April 24th, 2008, 9:14 am
Such great tips. I love naps and have been given a bad name. We need to be able do what we naturally free. It helps us truly live our lives!
Frugal Dad Says:
April 24th, 2008, 9:17 am
I know a millionaire who told me one of the greatest things about becoming a millionaire is that they no longer had to be awakend by an alarm clock. They simply wake up naturally - when the sun breaks over the horizon and shines into their window, or when the sea gulls and rough waves wake them from their slumber. Now that’s a life I could used to!
Azeem Says:
April 24th, 2008, 9:19 am
one more list of tips…Nice one Leo..Enjoyed reading..Thanks!
Regards
Azeem
blisschick Says:
April 24th, 2008, 9:21 am
Great post! Circadian rhythms were pretty much destroyed with the industrial revolution and with Henry Ford, in particular.
The entire issue comes down to our willingness to make choices that reflect our true priorities in life. If your priorities include an expensive car and a large home, yes, your choices do become increasingly limited. But if you listen deeply to what your heart wants, it opens up a world full of possibilities, a world outside the box, a world that you create for yourself. This world does not preclude material success but putting material success first does very often preclude personal choice.
Anita Says:
April 24th, 2008, 9:45 am
Great discussion on time, everyone!
One of the amazing experiences of zen is discovering that time, as we have always imagined/thought/felt it to be, is an illusion. It is infinitely more spacious and multi-dimensional. So take up Leo’s advice — try a little meditation and experience the flexible nature of time as it is in the moment.
B Smith at Wealth and Wisdom Says:
April 24th, 2008, 9:55 am
Leo-Welcome back, we missed you!
I think that the clock is nothing more than a tool. How do you chose to use it? Do you let it run your life? If so, that is a choice.
Like any other tool it can be misused or misunderstood. You see this all the time with productivity tools. The focus is on getting more stuff done, not getting the right things done. To use an image from Stephen Covey, the clock becomes more important than the compass.
Maria - Take Your Watch Off Says:
April 24th, 2008, 9:56 am
I really believe that being clock (or watch) bound is a huge barrier in staying present in the moment. I’ve basically stopped wearing a watch and it has been very helpful in keeping my attention focused on the task at hand, rather than worrying about what I have to do next.
Brad Says:
April 24th, 2008, 10:24 am
This brings to mind something I read just this morning: That clockless hunter-gatherers (at least those that survived late enough into the modern age to be studied directly) spent only 12-19 hours a week gathering food, and had ample leisure time. I compared this with how many hours I worked last week, and was immediately a little depressed.
It did have the benefit (for me, anyway) of bringing our notions of “progress” into sharp perspective - what does all the technology and the work ethic give us if not more time? It points to the need for some radical restructuring in my life (already underway).
May you all get to the point where your time is your own.
Andre Kibbe Says:
April 24th, 2008, 10:36 am
I find that people who consciously don’t follow clocks liberate themselves by imposing their ineffiencies on others. I find clocks liberating, since I see them as a focus tool when used properly.
Clocks become a problem when they split attention between your main task and time monitoring. The key is to use a timer for work sessions, then focus on your task, without watching the timer or clock, until the timer goes off — then you can truly “lose track of time,” as per the flow state. In my experience, having two hours to work on something allows me to get more done than having “all the time in the world.”
Pseudo Consummate Says:
April 24th, 2008, 11:02 am
I live in college, so there is a relation of my environment towards others that have posted here. I have to go to class, I’m a freshman and I need to understand all I can from the classes. However, this also works for the workplace, I can come back from class, have work and I have felt like a nap so I take one. I walk around with a free hugs sign and I’ve been late to class giving hugs. And one day after classes, it was a cool evening, so I took a loaf of bread and a bottle of water and sat in a quad watching people, birds, whatever else was in my sight; without a watch on me.
Marelisa Says:
April 24th, 2008, 11:08 am
I once read that time and space are a creation of man so that everything doesn’t happen at once and in the same place. I think that clocks and creating schedules are very valuable in order to give structure to something as amorphous as time; however, you should definitely aim to structure your time to suit your needs instead of letting others dictate when you’ll be doing what.
Jason Says:
April 24th, 2008, 11:42 am
Great post… Excellent thoughts on time and its dictatorship. Some believe that time doesn’t really exist… that everything is actually happening simultaneously. Throw your clocks and watches away… it’s an arbitrary reference point.
Troy Thompson Says:
April 24th, 2008, 12:00 pm
Great Article, Leo. Most people don’t understand how much our sleeping and eating habits affect our overall well-being. Not just physical well-being, but mental and spiritual as well. Unfortunately, most of us don’t have the luxury of “throwing away our clocks” as you suggest, but it’s certainly a goal that we should strive to achieve.
Alan Says:
April 24th, 2008, 12:11 pm
I pretty much live off the clock; my boss couldn’t care less when I’m actually in the office, as long as everything’s getting done. My daughter is home-schooled by my wife, who is a homemaker. No clocks.
The only time issues involving getting to bed on time (we are strict about that, give or take 30 minutes), accomplishing certain amounts of time-based activity (such as music practice), limiting certain activities (30m of WebKinz daily), and coordinating activities with others. And travel.
Laurie Says:
April 24th, 2008, 13:05 pm
As a teacher our schedules drive us down to the minute. Over the years I have conditioned myself to eat fast and study the clock during the day because to be one minute late to drop off kids or pick them up from lunch, recess, art music, etc. is unacceptable,
I am trying to slow down with the eating and enjoy my food more. I am trying to slow down with life in general. Some professions don’t make it easy to ignore the clock. I wish it did.
Dot Says:
April 24th, 2008, 13:07 pm
Nice to dream about, but not possible for my particular situation. And I wonder whether the economy would survive if we had no “wage slaves” and everyone was a boss.
I also think there are people who prefer to live by the clock. Plus, I’ve noticed that there are some who like to create a false sense of urgency about things even when there is no real deadline. I think it makes them feel important or gives their lives some drama that they wouldn’t have otherwise.
Dan Says:
April 24th, 2008, 13:25 pm
Great post. Thanks!
Helen Says:
April 24th, 2008, 13:36 pm
Interesting post with some good suggestions.
Unfortunately, the one point I disagree most with is the one stating that working on the clock is for the benefit of corporations (see the post by the Laurie, the teacher).
I work in a very large hospital that constantly loses money by serving a large population (people come to us from around the world and do not turn people away due to lack of insurance). I have a loose schedule that I set on a daily basis to see patients but when a family member or patient requests that I see them at a specific time, I try my best to honor this.
I see this as part of customer service because people have other obligations to tend to (picking up children, going to their own appointments, etc.). Not all job related scheduling is for profit only.
The flip side of being less scheduled is that it can be very frustrating to be on the receiving end of someone’s lack of scheduling. Socially, I love impromptu get togethers but when someone is depending on you to deliver a product, service or face time at a specified time, I think that is a very reasonable request.
Anita Says:
April 24th, 2008, 13:43 pm
Great point, Helen.
I think the key point is to pay attention to what needs doing, rather than just habitually rushing like the New Yorker mentioned several comments back. It’s not that the clock is bad, but are we using the clock as a tool to help others as you do, or are we being used by the clock?
Blake Says:
April 24th, 2008, 13:49 pm
Another great post from Zen Habits…this all ties to what I’m trying to express in my blog (an incorporation with the topic of Disillusionment). I would love some feedback:
Scain Says:
April 24th, 2008, 15:08 pm
Time is only tyrannical if you try to fight it, control it. One could, and you almost did, say humans have had a clock as long as we’ve existed, the sun & seasons. For civilization to thrive some people are going to need to pay attention to time and some are going to need to be ruled by it (you don’t plant the crops or hunt when you can’t see). The more luxuries you add past survival needs, the more people who are going to need to submit to it, otherwise the luxuries that have become necessities will break down. Regardless if we’re told the time by a clock or the stars, it’s far more beneficial to be aware of time than oblivious. That said, I do see a fair number of people who obsess far too much over time, and corporate/business world seems to especially have an impatience for time. This list is pretty good advice for those people, and sometimes I really wish the corporate world would/could learn to take a nap.
Scameronde Says:
April 24th, 2008, 15:08 pm
@Anita
You made the great poin, Anita.
I tried to figure out, what was not right in Leo’s post, but i could not put my finger on it. You did.
The clock is just a tool. Nothing more. And like all tools, the question is how you use it. Does the tool control you, or does you control the tool.
A clock (or better a schedule) is very important to synchronize with other people. My kids have to synchronize with their teachers, i with my co-workers, with the bus, with my favorite show on TV.
I think, if someone feels stressed by the clock, it might be their schedule being to tight.
An example: i hate it to be rushed in the morning. Having to gulp down my coffe in a hurry, yell at my kids to dress faster, drive like crazy to get them to school on time, no, thank’s. But what are my options? I can dream about being independet of that schedule (quit my job, sell my kids) or … wake up a little earlier, so i have enough time to drink my coffe with leisure.
You do not need to change your whole life. Often you need only some small changes to eliminate the problem.
Another example from my work life: i am Head-Of-Blah-Blah in an IT-Company. I have many projects i have to take care of, and people as well. I have to live on a schedule (and sometimes on a very tight schedule). But since i live with GTD (or even better ZTD), i feel in control of my time and not beeing controlled. OK, not a small change, but not earth shattering either ;-)
OK, now i am hungry (and it is way past dinner time ;-))
Love and peace to all of you out there,
scameronde
Anita Says:
April 24th, 2008, 15:28 pm
Seconding that, Scameronde — you don’t need to change your life, just your mind!
:
jbelle Says:
April 24th, 2008, 15:58 pm
I like the idea of listening to your body for when it’s ready to do it’s thing (eat, exercise, sleep, etc) It is hard to do when working a day job, as a nap would get me fired, and i have a scheduled lunch hour, but little changes could happen, and so would working for myself. Oh I want to work for myself. I’m trying.- one step at a time
Nice post!
Chris Says:
April 24th, 2008, 16:51 pm
People keep giving me watches. I must have half a dozen of them. I don’t wear one, I don’t want one, I don’t care that much. Unfortunately, everything is regimented, all is measured. I find that the less I concern myself with the specifics of time, the less stressed I am. My work gets done. My kids get to school. Very little hits the floor. I think it’s as much frame of mind as anything.
Chris
http://www.ChrisMoreau.com
Beth Says:
April 24th, 2008, 17:30 pm
I’ve just started to work on being more productive in my work as a copyeditor, which is a by-the hour profession, so I can’t throw away the clock. But because I work from home, I can choose the hours I work. Today I chose to have lunch and then do an hour of weeding (oh joy! but the yard does look better). Even if you can’t give up the clock altogether, maybe you can slip in something unrelated to your job. It’s a small way of playing hooky.
Lyndy Says:
April 24th, 2008, 17:47 pm
I’m trying to be more like you, Leo– but I am just not ready to do away with my clock. It may be very un-zen-like, but I like my clock and there is something comforting about keeping on a regular schedule. For me, there is comfort in my schedule.
Hey- we may agree to disagree here! I still want to be more like you!
Scameronde Says:
April 24th, 2008, 18:10 pm
@Lyndy
Hello Lyndy,
That is a very interesting point you made. I am not a person who needs a regular schedule to feel good, but i know quite a few who really need that. So one persons nightmare is another persons heaven ;-)
And i do not think that this is very ‘un-zen-like’. Quite the opposite. If a regular schedule is what you need or like, than that is your way to go. To try to be someone else and not yourself, that is something that is very ‘un-zen-like’.
Love and peace,
scameronde
Ryan McLean. WHAT WOULD A WORLD WITH NO CLOCKS BE LIKE? Says:
April 24th, 2008, 18:55 pm
Interesting way to view the clock.
I wonder what a world with NO CLOCKS would be like though. Nothing would get done
Tom – Ponderosa Design Says:
April 24th, 2008, 19:05 pm
I’m still working on the up early habit… so for right now I’m hanging a little bit tight to the clock…
But really, from experience, I know that if you kick the alarm clock lifestyle, you’ll begin dreaming almost nightly.
Thanks Leo for the greater Time perspective on our humanity. Crikey… how did we ever sell ourselves out to being here? Long ways out… but we get there together.
Peace.
Mara Says:
April 24th, 2008, 19:36 pm
Clock: tool or tyrant?
I don’t like to have my life too heavily scheduled: it stresses me out to look at my planner and see the timeslots filled up with activities.
So I like your philosophy of ‘do less’, and I like opening my life to a slower pace, and embracing natural rhythms.
Still, I would point out that rhythm and pattern isn’t exactly a foreign concept to our bodies, or to nature. Just look at my cat. I’m pretty sure he doesn’t read the clock, but I can usually guess the time based on when he meows to be fed, when he naps and wakes, and when he gets his evening burst of energy and chases his fake mouse up and down the stairs.
I don’t think it’s realistic to imply that, in centuries past, people sat around all day talking and napping and eating when they felt like it. The original alarm clocks were roosters and rising suns; people were summoned to meals by dinner bells. And times in between were filled with a whole lot of manual labour.
I also don’t think it’s fair to imply that scheduling should be avoided at all costs. To perform any sort of organized activity with others - even something as simple as sharing a meal - means being able to meet at an agreed upon time.
I don’t mind going to yoga class at 10, meeting my husband for lunch 12:30, picking up the kids from school at 3:30, and having a family dinner by 5:30 so my son can get to his judo class. That’s the kind of loose scheduling that gives structure to my day, and is rather different from the hectic years when I had to catch the 6:11 morning train into the city.
So I’m only going to half agree with you on this one. I never again want to be a slave to my clock, but I won’t call it meaningless. It helps me mesh the rhythms of my life with the rhythms of those around me; it is a tool I can use to divide my waking hours into productive segments; it can help me stay on track to accomplish the things I want to.
While I’m all for stopping to smell the roses, a quick glance at my watch can help me decide when it’s time to move on to sniff the lilies.
Kenneth King Says:
April 24th, 2008, 20:01 pm
As someone who is self employed, I am extremely grateful to be able to practice #’s 1,2,5, and 6 regularly. I still wear a watch though, and I agree with Mara (see above) in that the clock helps keep me in touch with those who operate on a more “normal” schedule. Great post!
Rob Says:
April 24th, 2008, 20:36 pm
Nice to see you back in action. Great post to make your comeback with. Keep it coming :-)
gradschoolsurvival Says:
April 24th, 2008, 20:42 pm
Great article. I am glad to see you back. I am a big fan of your site. I couldn’t agree with you more here. I use a clock to get up early and thats about when it ends. Outside of that I use cooltimer as a way to manage my work on tasks and ensure I stay focused. Thanks for the great blog!
harmzie Says:
April 24th, 2008, 22:21 pm
…interesting. I started with a “>hufffff< no WAY! that’s just not realistic”. I still think that’s mostly true, but it HAS made me think of all the reasons that I END UP tied to a clock - the procrastination; the mismanagement of time I DO have… I would (and do) say laughing “if it weren’t for the last minute, nothing would ever get done!” But thinking of it, it shouldn’t be that way. It’s like my old friend FlyLady would say: “Do It Now, Girl!” (DING) - she’s very Zen.
I like things that make me think. Even if I don’t agree, every little evaluation takes me closer… one demon at a time!
Ralph Says:
April 24th, 2008, 23:13 pm
hey :)
I started a thread on the Oprah and Eckhart Tolle message board along these lines, entitled “Using Time to Step Out of TIme”, here’s the link for those interested ~
http://www.oprah.com/community/thread/54320?start=0&tstart=0
… it feels very relevant to this great post
Peace,
Ralph
http://www.beyondthemind.org
Ralph Says:
April 24th, 2008, 23:25 pm
cool post, i started a thread on the Oprah & Eckhart Tolle message board exactly along these lines :)
can read it here - oprah.com/community/thread/54320?start=0&tstart=0
peace,
ralph
Reality Says:
April 24th, 2008, 23:55 pm
For the majority who are not self employed -
good luck keeping your jobs. It ain’t easy to relax and de-stress when the bills supporting a soft, consumer-oriented lifestyle aren’t getting paid…
Isaac Says:
April 25th, 2008, 0:01 am
Heh, I just wrote a song about refusing to become robotic called Kickin’ Back!
Needless to say, I already no longer try to let the clock rule me :D
Matt P Says:
April 25th, 2008, 3:08 am
Read Henri Bergson. He is a philosopher from what is known as the process movement (think James, Dewey, Whitehead, stream of conscious people). He writes a lot about clock time and how it is an artificial construct keeping us from experiencing life fully. It’s incredibly interesting and astute.
-Philosophy major (hey, I just found a use for it!)
Andy Says:
April 25th, 2008, 4:17 am
You know, Leo, all things you wrote about are right. But not everybody can live without watches. I saw people who can’t force themselves to do something just because they weren’t managed by someone and because they didn’t have clear deadlines.
Janice Says:
April 25th, 2008, 4:44 am
A great post. You should take part in this blog carnival, perhaps you’ll win?
http://www.teno.de/teno/english/blog/2008/04/21/international-blog-carnival-blog-around-the-clock/
Khürt Williams Says:
April 25th, 2008, 7:06 am
I have 5 watches and never wear them. I have clocks everywhere ( the stove, the microwave, the stereo, the computer ) and I find that I can tell what time it is without having to look at one.
I never noticed the clock when I was a child and I think I was much happier.
To answer your questions.
is it possible for you to be your own boss? And if not, is it possible at least to find a job where you can set your own schedule?
Yes, it is possible for me to be my own boss but I am fearful. We live on one income since my wife’s medical condition prevents here from working. Being my own boss mean paying for all those things ( like medical coverage ) that are included with the job.
1 is impractical for me. I have Type 1 diabetes. Eating on schedule is part of my life.
I definitely want to do more of 5,6,7,8, and 9.
Watchfree Says:
April 25th, 2008, 10:45 am
Haven’t worn a watch since 1989 (while in college). It’s liberating and not as difficult as some people think. Break away from the invisible shackles that a watch/clock put on your life.
Mike W. Says:
April 25th, 2008, 12:06 pm
Andre has a great point when he says:
“I find that people who consciously don’t follow clocks liberate themselves by imposing their ineffiencies on others. I find clocks liberating, since I see them as a focus tool when used properly.”
The concern that I have with this post is its basic assumption: That because clocks are a recent invention, they are ipso facto unnatural, unduly constraining, or, heaven forbid, “western.” This is just plain erroneous. Time keeping devices, such as sundials, used to keep appointments and track schedules, are as old as humanity. Clocks are just the more recent, and so far the most efficient, method of time-keeping. Clocks are a tool They can be a great tool for measuring productivity or just keeping track of your day. Like any tool, a clock can be misused or can be allowed to rule us. Abuse of a tool is not the fault of the tool. However, by giving me boundaries, I have found a clock (and a watch and alarms) to be liberating. They liberate me to be creative by disciplining the normal human tendency to sink into the morass of sloth while calling it “relaxation.”
Francis Says:
April 25th, 2008, 13:54 pm
I live in Jamaica, where our relationship to the clock can be quite different.
The problem, as I see it, is in our relationship to people, and the clock is just an “innocent” indicator… and so is the sun, and the moon, and the tides.
When we believe our thoughts about society’s expectations, we get into trouble, but we are the ones placing ourselves in harm’s way.
However, I can’t see how not making appointments can be useful. For me, the creation of a schedule is an action intended to free up the mind from being concerned about doing all that I intend to do that day. It is nothing to feel guilty about, and more like a pencil sketch I make of the day ahead, knowing that I can erase any, all or none of it as I desire at any point.
Another analogy is that it’s a bit like a first draft of an article or a piece of music. The first one is only an indication of things to come, and when I can free myself from thinking that it MUST got the way I scheduled it, then I am free-er than I was without it.
There is a book called “Goal-Free Living” written by a guy I was at school with that echoes some of these sentiments.