Time Flies When You're in a Rut

If you’re like almost everyone else in the world, then you’ve probably experienced that moment when you stop and wonder where the time went, and how you could have missed the last few weeks or months or more.

It’s definitely hit me on many occasions, and what’s more, it seems like the older you get, the faster time goes. I think I might have come up with an answer for why this happens.

Obviously, time doesn’t move any faster or slower at different points in your life, but our perception of time passing often changes based on what we’re doing. You know the old saying, “time flies when you’re having fun”? Well, it’s true in a sense. When your mind is occupied, you don’t notice the time passing. And conversely, as I’m sure you know, if you sit and count the seconds, they seem to take forever.

But this only explains minutes or hours. What I really want to talk about is longer time periods like months and years passing us by.

I think the same rule applies, but on a grander scale. So, for example, when your head is buried in your daily routine – waking up, going to work, coming home, taking the kids to soccer practice, eating dinner, walking the dog, going to bed, and doing it all again the next day (you know the drill) – months pass just like that without much notice.

Now, before I go any further, I don’t want anyone to think that I’m telling them to stop going to work, or taking care of their kids, or anything else. But I think it’s important that we break up our routines with other activities from time to time. Look up and take everything in once in a while, so to speak.

That’s why vacations are so important. A study done in 2006 by a few former NASA scientists (and bankrolled by Air New Zealand) showed that workers are 82% more productive if they take regular vacations. So using the excuse, like so many do, that your work will suffer if you go away doesn’t hold water.

So if you’re 82% more productive at work, then that probably means that you’re a lot more well adjusted after a vacation. You get away, you clear your head, you *gasp* enjoy yourself, and then you return refreshed. So it doesn’t just have a positive effect on your job. It has a positive effect on everything. And it breaks up the monotony.

Keep in mind that all of this is coming from a recovering workaholic. In my past jobs, I almost never used my vacation time. I was one of those that insisted that I was the only person who could do my job properly, and if I was away, the work would suffer. Little did I know what I was missing out on.

For a lot of people, their job is the source of the problem. The 9-5 grind isn’t for everyone, and it can really get you in a rut where you lose all track of time. If that’s the case, then you might think about looking for another job. Now, I’m not a job search coach, or an expert on the subject in any way, but I do know that a change of scenery can often do a lot of good. And, again, it’s something that can break up the monotony, and really help to slow time down.

During my days as a web designer, I met a number of people who work this way. Essentially, on a freelance basis. They work at one firm for a few weeks or a few months until the project is completed. Then they go to another firm for a few months, and so on. They all say that they find it fulfilling, and it keeps them from getting into that rut.

If you’ve been thinking of changing jobs, then maybe this is the type of work you might enjoy. Take a look at your experience and your interests, and the job opportunities in your area. See if there are any that you can do on a temporary freelance basis. But don’t just run off willy-nilly and quit your job without a plan. There are many professional coaches, career counselors, and job placement firms around the world who can help you with this. Make sure you do it right.

If you’re perfectly happy with your job, and not interested in changing it, then maybe having your own activities and hobbies that you take part in outside of your daily routine is the right thing for you. For example, in the summer, my friends and I play softball in Central Park. I have other friends who like to surf, or hike, or write, or draw. Something else to do besides work and responsibilities all day. Something to break up the monotony.

But the basic point is that every now and then you’re going to need a change. You can’t keep doing the same things all day, every day. It’s not healthy. It’s unfulfilling. And, let’s face it, it’s kind of depressing.

Maybe that’s why time seems to pass so slowly to children. Partly, it’s because they want to be older, so they want time to move faster, but it’s also partly because they do a lot of different activities. They haven’t started working regular shifts, so they haven’t stuck their heads in the sand and started to drone through a regular routine. As a result, most kids take in everything around them.

There are many adults that are able to do this, too. There’s no reason why you can’t be one of them.

There are lots of things that you can do to enrich your life. Things that will be fulfilling, things that will be fun and relaxing, things that will get you out of that rut, and maybe even slow the passage of time. Or, at least, time as we perceive it.

All you really have to do is stop and look around once in a while.