How often do you hear yourself say things like “there’s not enough time” or “here we are again”? When most people think about time, there’s an element of stress. A sense of lack. A fear of what’s to come. What if we could take two different views of time and use them to reduce stress and regain perspective on our lives and how we operate?

There are two basic views of time: linear and cyclical. Linear time is chronological. It continuously moves forward. Today is different from yesterday, and tomorrow is different from today. Everything is always changing.

Cyclical time is forever repeating. We experience the same four seasons each year. Each day we always have mornings, followed by afternoons, followed by nights. It’s predictable.

So, let’s look at how we can utilize both ways of viewing time.

BENEFITS OF LINEAR TIME

1.) Setting Goals

Linear time gives you a starting point and an end point. You can see the line of time from now to when you want to achieve certain things. Having the ability to set goals--both personal and professional--can open you up to possibility. It gives you direction and something to work toward...and look forward to. Goals allow you greater focus, drive, and anticipation.

If you struggle with a bit of aimlessness and distraction in your business, using the linear approach and setting clear goals that you can work towards can help add renewed purpose and inspiration. Want some help setting your own goals? Click here to learn more about my Goal-Setting Workshop: A Self-Paced Course.

2.) Tracking Progress

When you see time as chronological, you can create benchmark moments to check in and evaluate your progress. You can see whether you’re on the right path for you or if you want to make some adjustments.

Tracking your progress gives you the opportunity to recognize and celebrate the small wins along the way. You can see the improvement. When you can track it and see it, you may find extra motivation to continue moving forward.

3.) Measuring Results

Linear time gives you absolutes. There is a beginning and an end. Having this clarity as you take on projects and set goals may give you some peace of mind. It allows you the space to mark something as complete and evaluate how you did. You can compare how you performed previously to how you are doing now. Using that information can help you make decisions about how you want to start and finish your next project or goal.

BENEFITS OF CYCLICAL TIME

1.) Knowing What’s Coming

When you experience time linearly, the future is an unknown. It can be intimidating and maybe a bit scary. If instead you choose to see the future as a repeat of the past, you may start to find some clarity about what’s to come. Each day we start over. Each month begins again at day one. Some of the same experiences we had last January we’ll see again this next year.

We all experience shifts in mood and energy at different times in the day. Maybe you have your highly-productive hours early in the day and find it difficult to concentrate in the afternoon. If you know this about yourself, you can plan ahead. Schedule that presentation when you know you can perform at your best. Save the emails for your low energy time.

You may also find your mood and energy shifts over longer stretches of time: monthly or seasonally. Different phases of the moon or, for women, menstrual cycles can affect how energetic, creative, introspective, or engaging you feel. Knowing this can help you anticipate what’s coming, and you can plan accordingly.

2.) Learning From Mistakes

We’ve all made mistakes. Whether it’s doing or saying something you regret or miscalculating an outcome, you’ve probably spent some time beating yourself up over things you’ve done. With the linear view of time, you may be focusing on how that moment is stamped in history. You’ll never get it back.

What if instead you were to take the cyclical view of time? The opportunity will come around again. You have a chance to do things differently next time. It allows you to give yourself some grace and learn from your mistakes. You will get your do over...and you’ll know better this time around.

3.) Having More Than Enough Time

We’re always in a panic for more time. With the linear view, we are always losing time. It keeps marching forward and every second not utilized is wasted, right? Well, what if you take the cyclical view? There is always more time coming back around.

Instead of cramming all you can into your day, what if you were intentional with the few things accomplished each day. If it isn’t important now or works better later, let it be the priority on another day. Maybe thinking on a weekly schedule or monthly schedule can open up the idea of more than enough time for all that you determine is important for you.

Check out Effective Over Efficient: 3 Questions to Ask Yourself and 3 Steps for Organizing Your Week to read more on this.

Linear and Cyclical Time: Using Both to Change Your Mindset and Boost Your Productivity