GP document - Mindful Timekeeping

Social standardising and abiding to time played
a major role in shaping the world we live in
today. Adhering to group standards of time is
still relevant for balancing an individual’s
relationship with their people and society. But
how important it is when compared to the
mind- body time of an individual needs
evaluation. This will vary from person to
person.
Importance of Group Timing
Author Daniel H. Pink in his book When [19] ,
states three important principles of Group
timing-
External Standard- The external standard or
demand helps set a pace.
postive experience. It contributes significantly
to a sense of wellbeing. Not being in sync with
the social standards can cause further unease
in navigating through time.
Conclusion
All the aspects discussed in the chapter
namely bodily rhythms, time perception and
social time are all important when it comes to
timekeeping.
An individual should be equipped to be mindful
about all these aspects and then assign value
and prioritise allocating attention to where
ever necessary to develop a balanced and holistic
timekeeping approach.
Sense of Belonging- Every individual has an
innate need to belong. Abiding to the
standards help create a feeling of belonging
Synchronisation- Adhering requires
synchronising to external standards. This
requires and enhances wellbeing (it is a loop).
Traditionally, as a society we exhibit a learned
behaviour of giving importance to social time
over other aspects. This approach needs
rethinking and as a society we have to strive
towards accomodating differences in
individual timekeeping and be aware of
factors causing the same.
Being in synchrony with the social standards
and expectations with respect to time is a very
National Institute of Design | Graduation Project | 2020
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