Philip Zimbardo explains us how to use time in a more optimal way. He describes the optimal use of our past, present and future thoughts. We will answer those questions to give you a comple

• What are the Principles behind Adam’s apple temptation?
• NOW
• yielding
• impulsive

What are the Principles behind Adam’s apple temptation?

Adam'a apple temptation

Since the Adam and Eve and the apple episode, life is about temptation. A dilemma between adapting the present focus, saying and being yielding and (), and the future focus. Here are the characteristics of each one:
Present focus

• YES
• NOW
• yielding
• impulsive

Past focus

• NO
• LATER
• Resisting
• Reflective

Life is temptation

What is The Mashmalow experiment

The Mashmalow experiment was a now famous experiment done many years ago on 4 years old children. It consisted of giving the kid a Mashmalow and give him/her the choice between having it now or waiting until they get back so they can have another one.
The results showed that 2/3 of the participants decided not to wait and have the first treat, and only the remaining third decided to resist tempation and wait for the second one.
Further studies come to explain the difference with the minority kids that resisted. It revealed that on average those kids were better students (scored 250 points higher on their SAT’s), got less in trouble and more importantly they were future focus instead of present foucs.

The mashmalow experiment

What is time perspective?

Philip Zimbardo defines Time Perspective as “the study of how individuals divide the flow of human experience into different time frames or time zones- automatically and non-consciously“. Those time frames vary between different cultures, social classes, nations and people and might become problematic when some are underused and other overused.

What determines you decision ? Present or past Focus?

Every decision is on the idea of taking an action. For some the decision time frame will be based on the present with what is going now and only the immediate situation and stimulation will be relevant. For others, their decision will be based on past memories. But finally for some the time zone will be in the future, by anticipating conequences and doing a benefit analysis.
This is the time paradox, that you are making constant time decision that you are unware of.

Time Frame decisions

What are the time perspective factors?

Philip claims that their are 6 time perspective factors

• Past time perspective where you focus on the positives
• Past time perspective where you focus on the negatives
• Present time perspective where you focus on the positives – hedonism
• Present time perspective where you focus on the negatives – fatalism
• Future time perspective where your focus on life goals
• Future time perspective where your focus on the transcendental and life after death

I would like to add theat those time perspective modalities will vary. Please click here to understand and change your modalities.

What is the optimal temporal mix?

The optimal temporal mix is about having the ability to fluidly change from one time perspective to an other depending on the given situations.
He also give an the optimal temporatl mix profile:

• Past-Positive – High – gives you roots to connect to your identity & Family and be grounded
• Future – Moderate High – give you the vision and wings to get to a new destination
• Present Hedonism – Moderate – gives you the energy to explore people, places and self

What do futures sacrifice for success?

The people always in the future and only focusing on one aim will eventually sacrifice things such as:

• Family time
• Friend time
• Fun time
• Personal indulgences
• Hobbies
• Sleep
• They live for work, achievement and control

The importance of balance

He concludes his presentation with the idea of balancing. Yes you need to focus on the future but you also need to live and enjoy the present.
He also says that a proper use of time perspective may be applied to different world problems including diminishing drop out rate and addictions, enhancing the physical and psychology health of teens and improving family life.
Time perspective is a really simple notion but the consequences can be really profound.