Wray Herbert explores how our perception of time is changed by the way we spend it. Research suggests that when we work to help others versus just pleasing ourselves, our sense of time expands. The conclusion:
As described in a forthcoming issue of the journal Psychological Science, those who spent time selflessly had a much stronger sense of personal power and effectiveness. Helping others apparently makes us feel we can accomplish more in less time, and this “fullness” of time seems to stretch time in our minds. It’s not that the volunteers don’t feel connected or that they don’t find the volunteer work meaningful and enjoyable; they do. But only the boosted sense of self-efficacy actually triggered the shifts in time perception.
I can’t help feeling that this would be a good thing to reflect on before embarking on designing a meeting and getting fixated on timekeeping.
Hat tip: Richard Wise
