(1) What is your predominant time orientation?
Zimbardo gave three-time orientations: past-oriented, defined as what was; present-oriented, defined as what is now; and future-oriented, defined as what will be. As I listened to the Ted talk, I thought I was between present and future-oriented. I like to live in the present, appreciate all I have today, and, best of all - be alive. However, there are times when, as much as I like to indulge in the present, I’d like to prepare for the future. Often, you are told that the future is unknown, yet it is good to be prepared for the unknown. Therefore, I like to plan my days ahead and what I need to accomplish each day by setting short-term goals that contribute to the long-
term goals. An interesting point Zimbardo made was to develop a flexible mindset to shift your time perspectives based on the situation at hand. This statement holds true as we must constantly decide what time orientation is better. (2) Last week, you described a change event for the focus of your term paper. You described the event from your own perspective. Now, select a different time orientation than your own and reflect on the change event.Would you describe the change event differently if it were viewed through a different lens? If so, how does the description of the change event differ?
Last week, for my term paper, I used present-oriented to talk about my change event. However, if using a different time orientation, my change event would be completely different, but it would
not steer away from the change. For example, if using past-oriented, based on my change, our organization can learn from the past and compare it with the choices that had already taken place
and produce a better solution to drive the organization forward. (3) On a 5-point scale (1-easy; 3-moderate; 5-difficult), how difficult is it to see your change event through a different time perspective.
I would say looking at my change at a different time perspective is on a scale of 4 being moderate-difficult. Simply put, I like to look at things in the present, and based on that, I will make a decision that will influence the future. Looking at the past can be daunting as the past can’t be changed; however, you can influence the future based on the present.
