Farmers First: Managing time blindness

Hello, farm family!

Have you ever walked by a weedy bench and thought, “I’ll just pull a few weeds,” only to realize you then worked for over an hour? Me too.

The positive side of that is that I got lots of weeds pulled rather than just a few. The drawback is I now have less time to do the other things I had on my list … or I’m late for an appointment … or I’m in need of a catnap!

Time Flies

This phenomenon is called “time blindness.” It can show up in a few different ways, both in practice and in our language. Sayings like “Time flies when you’re having fun,” “I lost track of time” or “Time stood still” reflect common experiences with time blindness.

For some of us, time blindness is nothing more than an occasional nuisance, something that only happens when we’re engaged in an activity we really like (or dislike).

For others, it is a daily struggle in which we regularly under- or over-estimate the amount of time a task will take, leaving tasks partially completed, spending hours waiting around for things to start or multi-tasking in a vain attempt to “catch up.”

Time Bombs

Unmanaged time blindness can feel like navigating a mine field, both for the one who suffers from it and for those around them. Imagine you look at the clock and think, “I’ve got enough time to pot 10 more bulbs before picking the kids up from baseball.”

You plant your 10 bulbs and realize your kids have been waiting at the field for half an hour. Now you’re speeding down the road, your kids feel forgotten and the coach wants to wring your neck.

Nobody is happy in this scenario.

You end up feeling perpetually rushed, flustered and unproductive. Those around you perceive you as rude, thoughtless or unreliable.

Time Hacks

If this sounds all too familiar, I’d like you to know you’re not alone. Time blindness is not a character flaw: it is a sign of some creative wiring in your brain.

Fortunately, you can reclaim control over your time – which will also improve your interpersonal relationships and increase your live satisfaction.

Here are a couple of tips from someone who suffers from time blindness:

• Acknowledge the negative impact of time blindness. While time blindness itself is not a character flaw, choosing to excuse it away can be. Be honest about how your use of time is impacting your quality of life and that of those around you. Make some apologies and explain that you will be taking steps to get your time blindness under control.

• Audit your time usage. For one week, log how long you spend doing different tasks, especially the ones that you need to do on a regular basis. This information will help you when you decide if you really have time to sneak in one more chore before leaving the house – and what chore that may be.

• Make plans. Take time to set long-, medium- and short-term, goals. Make sure you’re working on at least one of each type of goal each day so you don’t get mired in the present at the cost of the future.

• Notice where you lose time. Writing new content is one that gets me. Any writing activity that taps into my creative side puts me into a time vortex where hours feel like minutes.

• Use tools. Modern technology can be the saving grace for time blindness. Set an alarm on your phone for any important activity you don’t want to miss. If you’re taking a break, consider setting a timer to remind you when to get back to work.

• Schedule buffers. Include buffers for activities that require preparation. I’ve learned that I need to include a buffer of at least 15 minutes before filming a podcast to put on lip gloss, turn on my ring light, set up my screen, grab a fresh cup of coffee, get Zoom started and review notes from our screening. Anything less, and I’m rushing.

• Practice, practice, practice. You won’t suddenly conquer time blindness in a day (or even a month). Like any chronic condition, you need to invest time into finding the right solutions. You will also experience setbacks – days, weeks or even months where time seems to spin out of control. That’s okay. Take a deep breath, ask for and give yourself forgiveness, tweak your tools and start over again.

Everyone experiences time blindness differently, so it may take some time to find the best strategies for you. With persistence, practice and patience, you can start to build a healthier, more satisfying relationship with time.

If tackling time blindness feels overwhelming, fear not! Send me an email at kcastrataro@pen-light.org and we’ll brainstorm some strategies tailored to you and your farm life.

It’s your time to grow!