Two Views on Time

I discovered recently that the ancient Greeks had two different words to explain the idea of time: Chronos and Kairos. The difference between the two is meaningful, especially if you feel the time of your life and career flying by.

Chronos is the time we know. It’s the ticking of the clock. It’s what we live and experience every day in our busy lives. Our Outlook calendars and smartphones are all governed by Chronos.

Kairos is a different flavor of time—more about specific moments in our lives—moments we seize or realize this is something special.

Chronos and Kairos in Our Careers

For anyone feeling lost or incomplete in their career, here are a few thoughts on Chronos and Kairos:

The quantitative time known as Chronos flies by, and we wonder what happened. I spoke with a retired executive recently who offered, “I feel like I wasted so much time of my life chasing results for others that I forget that it was my life and not my employer’s.”

You don’t want that regret.

Chronos is a tyrant.

Kairos is that qualitative time measured in special moments of recognition or exhilaration. Kairos is also about us doing work that fuels our souls and lifts our spirits.

How We Experience Chronos or Kairos in Our Careers

In talking with a long-time coaching client who asked me to help them pivot in their careers, she offered: “Time feels different now. I don’t watch the clock. I don’t care about the calendar. I’m immersed and smiling and feeling wonderful about myself and how I’m spending my time.”

Are you fighting Chronos or living Kairos?

Are you doing work that exhilarates you—that offers the opportunity for learning, growth, and contribution- and fits your sense of purpose?

Is This Your Time for More Kairos and Less Chronos?

If not, why are you squandering your most irreplaceable asset, the time of your life?

Is this a Kairos moment for you? Is this a moment where you decide to start shifting to something fitting for this next stage of your life?

Is this your time for more Kairos and Less Chronos?

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