Inside the Mind of a Timebender – Why I’m Always Late | Grace Pacie | TEDxBedford

Summary

The speaker humorously explores the psychology behind lateness, contrasting it with procrastination and emphasizing its social impact. They identify 'time benders' who experience 'time bending'—where time speeds up or slows down—leading to a flexible but often tardy approach to life. The speaker outlines seven 'strange secrets' of late people, such as a reluctance to finish tasks and an over-optimistic belief in smooth travel. They suggest strategies for time benders to be on time, like making deadlines real and building in pre-event activities, while proposing a reevaluation of lateness in a world that values resilience and adaptability over strict punctuality.

Takeaways

• 🕒 The speaker struggles with punctuality, often running late for a weekly Zumba class and realizing the impact of their lateness on others.
• ⏱️ Research by YouGov indicates that 20% of people are late for work at least once a week, suggesting that the speaker is not alone in their struggle.
• 📚 Despite numerous books on time management and procrastination, the speaker finds limited resources addressing the specific issue of lateness.
• 👩‍🏫 The book 'Never Be Late Again' by a psychologist offers insights into lateness, categorizing late people and suggesting solutions.
• 🧠 The concept of 'time bending' is introduced, where individuals perceive time differently, leading to varying work speeds and a loss of track of time.
• 🔄 Late individuals are characterized by flexibility, responsiveness, and adaptability, which are seen as positive traits alongside their lateness.
• 🤔 The speaker identifies seven 'strange secrets' in the subconscious mind of a 'time bender,' including hesitancy to finish tasks and an unrealistic optimism about travel time.
• 📉 The speaker's 'secret scale of acceptable lateness' reveals a pattern of being punctual for events with real consequences and being late for social occasions.
• 🔄 The realization that being late to social events and for loved ones can negatively affect relationships and perceptions.
• 🔄 Strategies for time benders to become more punctual are discussed, such as making deadlines real and incorporating pre-event activities.
• 🌟 The script concludes with a call to reevaluate the concept of lateness in the context of modern work environments that value flexibility and adaptability over strict punctuality.

Q & A

What is the main issue the speaker faces with time management?

The speaker struggles with being late, often leaving later than intended and finding it hard to be punctual for events like their Zumba class.

What percentage of people are late for work at least once a week according to the YouGov research mentioned in the script?

Twenty percent of people are late for work at least once a week according to the YouGov research.

How does the speaker describe the difference between procrastination and lateness?

Procrastination is about starting tasks, while lateness is about finishing them. Procrastination impacts one's own life, whereas lateness impacts others who wait.

What is the term the speaker uses to describe their experience of time?

The speaker uses the term 'time bending' to describe their experience of time, where they can speed up or slow down and lose track of time.

What are some positive characteristics of 'time benders' according to the speaker?

Time benders are described as flexible, responsive, and adaptable. They are willing to take on tasks even if time is short, don't mind interruptions, and can adjust to changes in plans.

What are the 'seven strange secrets' of the subconscious mind of a time bender that the speaker mentions?

The seven secrets include: 1) Hesitancy to finish things, 2) Dislike of being early, 3) Inability to measure time accurately, 4) Need for real deadlines, 5) Belief in instant transitions between tasks, 6) Optimistic assumptions about travel, and 7) Tendency to do things back to front.

How does the speaker's approach to time management differ when there are real external deadlines?

The speaker can be on time when there are real external deadlines with consequences, such as for flights, job interviews, or important meetings.

What is the term used for people who are anxious about being early and build in extra time for their activities?

These individuals are referred to as 'time keepers' in the script.

What is the speaker's advice for making a deadline real for a time bender?

To make a deadline real for a time bender, one must enforce the deadline strictly. If they are not ready by the stated time, the speaker suggests leaving without them to ensure they take the deadline seriously next time.

How does the speaker suggest time benders can outwit their subconscious minds to be on time?

Time benders can outwit their subconscious minds by building in pre-event activities, preparing the night before, or changing their behavior to align with their understanding of what makes them late.

What broader perspective does the speaker offer on lateness and its potential value in a changing world?

The speaker suggests that in an unpredictable world, qualities like flexibility, responsiveness, and adaptability, which are often associated with time benders, might be more valuable for resilience and facing the future than strict adherence to punctuality.