When I was recently putting together a program on implementation and time management, my dad introduced me to Chronos and Kairos, the two words the ancient Greeks used for time. I love the ancient Greeks – they were the real thought leaders of their time. But I digress.
Wikipedia tells us:
Kairos is an ancient Greek word meaning the right or opportune moment (the supreme moment). The ancient Greeks had two words for time, chronos and kairos. While the former refers to chronological or sequential time, the latter signifies a time in between, a moment of indeterminate time in which something special happens. What the special something is depends on who is using the word.
Mostly when we think about time management, productivity, efficiency and effectiveness, we are talking about using chronological time better.
I don’t think we pay enough attention to Kairos, those critical moments upon which everything turns. I met yesterday with the fabulous Wayne Schmidt, National Sales Manager of Xero. He made two introductions that could accelerate a business we are launching in the UK by twelve months. And it happened in an instant, a critical moment, Kairos.
Regular productivity is about getting better with chronological time. Super-productivity is about creating, recognising and taking advantage of critical moments.
Love to hear your thoughts, what critical moments have you experienced recently. You can leave them below.
