Comments on: U.S. Concept of Time & Why It’s Preventing You From Finding Your Passions

By: A Conversation With An Immigrant on U.S. Life | the middle finger project

A Conversation With An Immigrant on U.S. Life | the middle finger project — Wed, 29 Dec 2010 13:56:03 +0000

[...] I once wrote about the U.S. Concept of Time and how our attitude toward time as a tangible resource forces us to become engaged in a never ending battle to mold, shape and bend time to our will. We view it as a limited entity, and therefore have to speed up our lives in order to fit it within time’s confines. [...]

By: 10 (Free) Time Management Resources — Happenchance

10 (Free) Time Management Resources — Happenchance — Tue, 30 Nov 2010 17:43:13 +0000

[...] 6. Ash, a fellow ESL/EFL vetern at The Middle Finger Project, explains why the U.S. Concept of Time Prevents People from Finding Their Passions. [...]

By: Aleta Fullenwider

Aleta Fullenwider — Tue, 19 Oct 2010 21:37:00 +0000

I decided to train for a marathon a year ago. Due to the time it took to run, lift weights, cross train, do laundry (cause all those workout outfits gotta be washed sometime), I had to stop doing other things. I chose to stop doing things I didn’t enjoy or do less of things.

It was wonderful to concentrate on one goal! If I didn’t want to go to happy hour or shopping or whatever, I had a great excuse. But after the marathon, I’ve been writing huge “To do” lists for the weekend. By the time Monday rolls around, I’m exhausted. I can’t go back to concentrating on one goal but at the same time, I can’t sacrifice my precious time trying to do everything. It’s finding that balance that is really hard.

By: TMFproject

TMFproject — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 06:42:12 +0000

@SethBaker
Fantastic point–so glad you came by and mentioned that. Learning curves ALWAYS exist! Though, I think the difference between someone who's successful in their endeavors versus someone who isn't, is their ability to appreciate and enjoy the learning curve for what it is, versus just trying to get past it and onto bigger and better. But you're absolutely right–learning curves can't be ignored.

Appreciate you taking the time to comment, Seth! Rock on, friend!

By: sethmbaker

sethmbaker — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 09:08:22 +0000

Hello Ashley,
Great post. I'd like to add a little something. It's great to set aside time to find and develop your passion, but I believe you also need a lot of patience; it's great to set aside time, but in my experience people have to be prepared for a lot of struggle in the early stages.

With any new activity, there's a considerable learning curve. The first stages are often the soul-crushingly hardest. But if you are patient with yourself, if you can work through those early stages and increase your skill levels, then identifying your passion becomes that much easier.

Keep up the wonderful work!

By: TMFproject

TMFproject — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 07:20:14 +0000

@Jarrod
Hey there! Welcome to the site!

As a few super rad people have said before, reality. is. negotiable. So much truth in that statement that we don't even recognize.

Happy to connect with you here! Thanks for your comment.

By: TMFproject

TMFproject — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 07:16:56 +0000

@Maren
You are the second person to refer to me as “tiger!” Is there something noticeably stripey about my appearance that I'm not aware of? :p Ha. What you said here about time being both relative and fixed at the same time is a great point. You're right; we do have only so much time in a day–which is actually nothing more than the mere cycle from dark to light, actually–but how we view & conceptualize that margin of time we're given is entirely relative. Breaking it up into 60 minute chunks is entirely arbitrary, if you think about it. And if it's arbitrary, then that means we can play with it a little, right?

Thanks for the comment, my dear! P.S. Can I just mention here that everytime I see your avatar, I'm all like, “Awww. She's so pretty.” Love it.

By: TMFproject

TMFproject — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 07:09:48 +0000

@GetYourBizSavvy
I think I totally just wanted to use the word “wildebeest.”

By: Jarrod@ Optimistic Journey

Jarrod@ Optimistic Journey — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 07:05:18 +0000

Great post Ashley! I'm glad I stumbled upon your site. I definitely need to re-evaluate my concept of time. You've reminded me and reaffirmed to me that yes I am under the U.S. concept of time. This is life changing information and I thank you for sharing!!

By: Maren Kate

Maren Kate — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 11:40:56 +0000

Time's in the eye of the beekeeper (beholder?) but seriously… Time is completely relative and completely set in the same breath… we can get a ton done with 2 hours and have a whole day to play or we can get nothing done in 12 and be miserable… all depends on how you perceive the time around you – whether you see time as your tool or as a race against the clock. Great post tiger!

By: GetYourBizSavvy

GetYourBizSavvy — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 07:52:29 +0000

“you want a wildebeest!” I love it! Make time for your passion. I think you hit it perfectly. If someone really is passionate about something, they'll find out, but they have to be willing to spend the time.

By: TMFproject

TMFproject — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 23:24:14 +0000

@Jen
We all have that little voice, girlfriend. While we're conscious of the fact, sometimes being the only one doing something (or thinking in a certain way) can cause moments of self-doubt. And whether our line of thinking is in order or not…eventually, we've got to be confident that we'll get it all figured out. That said…sounds like your little voice is very wise!

By: TMFproject

TMFproject — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 23:22:14 +0000

@Looy
Interesting! Great to hear how time is conceptualized in other cultures. I wouldn't have guessed that Rome would be on par. Thanks for the valuable insight.

By: TMFproject

TMFproject — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 23:21:03 +0000

@Mike
Don't read it then, love.

By: Michael Key

Michael Key — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 23:15:21 +0000

This blog took to much time to read.