But then, one year, also on vacation, my watchband irritated my wrist, making me unable to wear a watch for many days. And we were able to make it to destinations, see the sights, find meals, and even make the airplane home without a watch. I have not worn one since. Today, the great Stephen Colbert said "Even a broken clock is right twice a day. Get 720 broken clocks!" That lead me to wonder: How accurate do you need to be? If you knew the time to say, 10 minutes, would that be acceptable? There are 6 10 minute periods in an hour and 24 hours in a day and that is 144 time slots and you only need half that because each clock is right twice a day. So get 72 clocks and set them 10 minutes apart and that is all you ever need.If you are a slave to your watch, if you find yourself checking it more than a few times a day, take it off. Leave it lie somewhere for a week. See how life is different. And no cheating by carrying your cell phone and checking it as often as you would a watch. Pocket the cell phone so it is hard to check the time. Wing it. Look at a wall clock when you need to. Eat when you are hungry. Sleep when you are sleepy. Get up when you feel rested. Give up all things that need careful timing like television shows. Do check the time for social appointments and work appointments. But let everything else happen when it happens. See if life doesn't get just a little more laid back and see if your lifestyle can handle that change. I bet it can.
2 comments:
Get a job. Show up for every meeting whenever you want. see how that works for you and your soon to be former) colleagues...
You're really a time freeloader. You rely on others for the time. You ask "what time is it" about 10 times a day. Maybe you just need 72 friends...
When I worked for Mel and had appointments with her and others, I never missed nor was late for a single one. I got the phone out of the breifcase to check or used the phone in the car.
But I did not wear a watch and check it 12 times while I was having dinner with the family, making them feel like I wished I was someplace else doing something more important.
I am not advocating irresponsibility, as you seem to feel, but merely more balance. Paying attention to the clock when one NEEDS to and not so much when it is less essential.
And I probably have 72 friends and not one has ever seemed annoyed by any lateness on my part or by occasionally being asked the time. Some of them don't wear watches either and ask ME to check the cell phone if they have a need to know.
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