What is time perspective? Time perspective is the study of how individuals, all of us, divide the flow of our human experience into time zones or time categories. And we do it automatically and non-consciously. They vary between cultures, between nations, between individuals, between social classes, and between education levels. The problem is that they can become biased because you learn to overuse some of them and underuse the others.
What determines any decision you make? You make a decision on which you’re going to base an action. For some people, it’s only about what is in the immediate situation, what other people are doing, and what you’re feeling. And those people, when they make their decisions in that format — we’re going to call them “present-oriented” because their focus is on what is now.
For others, the present is irrelevant. It’s always about “What is this situation like that I’ve experienced in the past?” So their decisions are based on past memories. And we’re going to call those people “past-oriented” because they focus on what was.
For others, it’s not the past, it’s not the present, it’s only about the future. Their focus is always on anticipated consequences, cost-benefit analysis. We’re going to call them “future-oriented.” Their focus is on what will be.
So, time paradox, I want to argue, the paradox of time perspective, is something that influences every decision you make, and you’re totally unaware of it. Namely, the extent to which you have one of these biased time perspectives. Well, there are actually six of them. There are two ways to be present-oriented. There are two ways to be past-oriented, two ways to be future-oriented. You can focus on past-positive or past-negative. You can be present-hedonistic, namely, you focus on the joys of life, or present-fatalist — it doesn’t matter; your life is controlled.
You can be future-oriented, setting goals. Or you can be transcendental future: namely, life begins after death. Developing the mental flexibility to shift time perspectives fluidly depending on the demands of the situation, that’s what you’ve got to learn to do. So, very shortly, what is the optimal time profile?
The optimal temporal mix is what you get from the past — past-positive gives you roots. You connect with your family, identity, and yourself. What you get from the future is wings to soar to new destinations, new challenges. What you get from present hedonism is the energy, the energy to explore yourself, places, people, sensuality. Any time perspective in excess has more negatives than positives.
What do futures sacrifice for success? They sacrifice family time. They sacrifice friend time. They sacrifice fun time. They sacrifice personal indulgence. They sacrifice hobbies. And they sacrifice sleep. So, it affects their health. And they live for work, achievement, and control.
This is a method that has been applied to many problems in the world: Changing the dropout rates of school kids, combating addictions, enhancing teen health, promoting sustainability and conservation, reducing physical rehabilitation where there is a 50-percent dropout rate, altering appeals to suicidal terrorists, we heal veterans’ PTSD — miraculously — with time metaphors and modifying family conflicts as time-zone clashes. I would like to end with this quote from Philip Zimbardo: “Many of life’s puzzles can be solved by understanding your time perspective and that of others. And the idea is so simple, so obvious, but I think the consequences are really profound.”
Time Perspective and Twelve Paths to Happiness
Some advice on what can be done according to the time :
Past :~Attend a traditional cultural event.~Forgive yourself for your past sins.~Express gratitude to your loved ones for what they do for you.~Watch old movies, read history books and biographies, and listen to oldies and classical music from the golden years.
Now :
~Plan improvisational periods. Take one day on the weekend and definitely don’t make plans for it (follow others’ decision).~Get a pet.~Practice mindfulness.~Do things like relaxation exercises, yoga, meditation.~Go to a comedy club.~Practice making jokes.~Experience bodily pleasures; regular massage, spa, hot tub etc.~Laugh out loud
Future :
~Work towards big long-term goals.~Read good science fiction novels, especially those set in the future.~Clean your teeth with dental floss, turn it into a ritual.~Maintain stability in your personal life.
