HANDS:
hands
hands title:
§13. Rule 7: Time
hands date:
15 October 2025
hands text:
We do not experience time; we are time.
01
We have a somewhat complicated relationship with time: it exists, and it does not.
02
It exists in the sense that we live in a real world, and the amount of time we spend finishing a job matters. It governs our schedules, our sense of progress and our finances. Yet, while engaged in a task, time seems to disappear, slipping out of awareness as if it never existed at all.
03
This duality shapes the way we think about time and the way we work.
04
Time certainly exists in the most practical sense. We live in a tangible world where deadlines must be met, appointments kept, and projects completed. The number of hours or days we dedicate to finishing a task has real consequences. In that regard, time functions as a measuring stick for effort, efficiency, and achievement.
05
However, something interesting happens once we immerse ourselves fully in our work. Time seems to vanish. Minutes and hours lose their meaning, and all that matters is the task itself.
06
We believe that this state of flow—where one becomes entirely absorbed in an activity—cannot coexist with constant awareness of the clock. If we keep glancing at the time, worrying about how much has passed, we interrupt the very focus required to do the job well. In that sense, effective work demands that time, at least temporarily, cease to exist.
07
To manage this paradox, we like to pause periodically and “check in” with reality—glancing at the clock, noting how much time has passed, and comparing it with our internal sense of rhythm. This act of recalibration helps us stay grounded, ensuring that our inner clock remains aligned with the external world.
08
At the same time, we like tracking how long certain tasks take. By doing so, we gain insight into our habits and improve our ability to plan future projects more accurately. It becomes, therefore, a matter of both discipline and self-knowledge.
09
Yet, we also believe deeply in the importance of silencing the “inner timekeeper.” This internal voice—the one constantly reminding us of the ticking clock—can become a distraction. To work effectively and creatively, we must learn to quiet it, allowing ourselves to be fully present in what we are doing.
10
Mastering that balance between awareness and timelessness may be one of the most valuable skills we can develop. Time both exists and doesn’t; it binds us and frees us. The art lies in knowing when to honour its passing—and when to forget it altogether.