3 pages work
Measured in “temporalities”
•Families time can be measured in seasons of death and life, planting and harvest, new and old, or plenty and scarcity.
•Families can also measure time in the life cycle of a family. (i.e. newly wed couple, child rearing years, empty nest years, and old age.
Characterized as continuous
•This view of time stipulates revolving cycles of development.
•For examples families who measure time as circular have strong views of reincarnation, seasonal changes, and the importance of patterns in the family history.
•While linear time cautions families about irreversible mistakes. The circular -time family is aware that the natural order of things will set everything in balance again.
Circular
Time View as a journey forward
•This view compels families to see time as separated by past, present, future.
•Decisions made in anyone of these phases can affect the other phases.
•Linear-time families can learn from mistake but can never undo what was done in the past.
Characterized by compartments
•The linear view of time celebrates distinctive measures.
•Instead of an event or person portrayed as connected to the larger picture, idiosyncratic achievements and traits are celebrated.
Linear
Time
The view of time that all things proceed in temporalities.
The view of time that our development is always moving forward in irreversible footsteps.
Many families use time like a commodities (i.e. the phrases: wasting time, spending time, saving time).
Industrialization and capitalism have influenced how families allocate their time. Industrialization led to the “commodification of time” as employers and
employees create a contract for payment for use of labor. Time has economic value.
Culturally, “time is the dominant currency in families”. Family routines are dictated by the schedule(s) of the family wage- earners.
Depending on family composition, work and other outside commitments, family
activities and scheduling require more attention in relation to arranging leisure time and activities.
As a result of the increased demands on times, families use technology (e.g.
emails, microwaves, fast food) and other in an attempt to increase efficiency (temporal efficiency). However, with these conveniences, families fill whatever net time gains with more activity.
This is a view that families are constantly in combat with beating the clock or using time to their leisure advantage. Time can be measured by the biological rhythms of the body and the
rhythms of the solar system.
Time is a “precious commodity” that has to be negotiated because we are in constant conflict with daily demands.
Duality of time is seen as “contextual and compositional.” Time is contextual in terms of "events" that occur (eg. work, school, hobbies) and "compositional" in terms of how our time is spent participating in events.
“ Time-reckoning” is the conflict or constraint of prioritizing personal time and set schedules.
Because of the tension that measured time can create families are usually trying to speed time: “hurry up,” “spend more,” “time- consuming.” A barrage of vocabulary encourages families to increase the tempo of time
Time is a foundational component of the social cultural order that serves as the
basis for our decisions and actions.
Acceleration metaphors connotes the availability of time and how it is spent within the family unit. Time spent is directly affected by industrialization, information technology, and globalization of the world economy.
In order to keep up with certain standards of living, time available for the family is
continuously being stretched or accelerated. Children have busy schedules, and spouses are on a “go pace” in order to keep up with technology, and the demands
of the economy.
Firefighting
• High Urgency
• High Importance
Quality Time
• Low Urgency
• High Importance
Distractions
• High Urgency
• Low Importance
Time Wasters
• Low Urgency
• Low Importance
Increasing Urgency
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This framework can be used to categorize time when evaluating a time study to see where time is being used.
Quadrant 1
Activities I will do.
Someone else determines the time
(work, church, class)
Quadrant 3
Activities I might do.
Someone else determines the time
(extra-curricular sports)
Quadrant 2
Activities I will do
I determine the time.
(sleep, possibly meals)
Quadrant 4
Activities I might do.
I determine the time
(recreation activities)
Non-negotiable Activity Negotiable Activity
F le
x ib
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F
ix e
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A method for prioritizing a schedule. Once a client has tracked time, use the grid to have them determine where their activities fit. Use the grid to dictate a weekly schedule, beginning with Q1, Q2, Q3, Q4
80% of time/
energy
20% of priorities
Focus on the 20% that really matters- From Pareto’s study of land owner’s in Italy – 80% of all land was owned by 20% of the population. Basically, we need to focus 80% of your time on the 20% that is most important.
Self- Actualization
Self-Esteem
Love/ Human Bonding
Safety
Physiological needs (food, shelter, water)
Time is spent on fulfilling basic needs. Once met, can begin to fulfill higher levels
In trying to fit all the “pickles” in the jar, begin with the largest ones. Then put in the smaller ones. After that, add the spices and the juice. Prioritize time with the most important things to ensure that they fit before we add the more flexible, smaller tasks.