Speak Out: Come out to CILA for a lesson in time management
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In a fast-paced society that focuses on work and the bottom line, time is of the essence and everything is made to go faster. From drive-thrus for eating on the go to cell phone applications for taking care of every aspect of a person’s life, everyone is multitasking.
Even for simple things, I notice myself being guilty of this impatience as I repeatedly pump the call button every time I use the elevator. I always wonder, “How did I get here? Where and when did I lose all of my patience?”
I can’t tell you how many times I get impatient with myself when my physical disability acts up on me, and I am unable to move within the time constraints that I have given myself for that day.
This is particularly frustrating because I try to live the most active and normal life I possibly can, but when I am in pain and have to take a step back from my busy schedule, it is just another reminder that I am different and that I will never be able to fully live the life that I want to.
An expert on time management is leading a workshop during the Council for Inclusion, Leadership and Advocacy meeting Wednesday at 5 p.m.
The meeting will help students and possibly faculty members get a handle on time management and make room for some quality time for others in their lives.
I think the worst side effect of this impatience craze is how it affects our attitudes toward other people. This goes beyond horn-honking road rage. Frankly, that’s an entirely new article in itself.
We need to take a step back and look at how we schedule our day.
People feel they just don’t have the time to give to others. So many times there are people who we may encounter who need a little extra time. Whether it is for crossing the street, comprehending something or taking longer to communicate with others.
So often I see these people dismissed by others or hurried along. Even worse, sometimes, is the “smile and nod” a person gets when they are not even recognized by the person in a hurry.
How many times have we done that? How many times have we conveniently forgotten about or not had the time to visit a family member or a loved one in a hospital or nursing facility? And how many times have we missed out on getting to know a truly unique person with a completely different perspective on life than what we’re used to?
Imagine all that we could learn about others and ourselves just by taking the time to see others and learn a new point of view. It is amazing how little time it takes and the difference a smile, friendly “hello” or acknowledgment while passing by can make.
The potential for human growth is astounding. But do we have time for that?
Since it doesn’t look like society is going to change anytime soon, I need to start with me, including taking time for myself as well as for others. Hopefully, the workshop will be able to help with that.
The workshop will be held in the conference room next to the office of Disability Services in the new Center for Community. It is located next to the Regent Administrative building.
For more information, please contact cila@colorado.edu.
Priscilla is a co-chair for the Council for Inclusion, Leadership and Advocacy.
Contact CU Independent Staff Writer Priscilla Carlson at Priscilla.carlson@colorado.edu.
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1 Comments
This is a great article about a very important aspect of our lives. Connecting with others doesn’t happen unless you take the time to do it.
We are saddled with sound bites, texting, commercials urging us to buy something quickly, TV news that is not news or has no content, all the fast entertainment options of new media, etc. None of this really helps you to get to know others, or yourself for that matter. That takes some time and effort. But the fact that we are constantly urged to move faster, communicate faster, work longer hours, produce more goes against the natural human desire to really connect. We should be asking why business and society want us to operate at faster than human speeds. It’s not healthy and it doesn’t bode well for our survival.