Life presents us with fleeting moments of opportunity, and it is essential to seize them to succeed. Have you ever wished you made wiser decisions and fully embraced these opportunities? Understanding the nuances of time is vital, as not all time is of equal value. Taking decisive action at the right time is the difference between triumph and failure. Shakespeare eloquently expressed this idea in Julius Caesar: “There is a tide in the affairs of men. Taken at the flood, it leads on to fortune.” Time is a finite resource. Many people are left feeling regretful for the missed opportunities. Recognizing the different values of time—beyond our usual measures—opens the door to a new realm of possibilities. Yet, countless individuals hold back from this potential out of fear and hesitation. Don’t let fear stop you from stepping into the adventure that awaits!
The call: opportunity knocks.
Many years ago, I was feeling stifled. I was stagnating at work. I had exhausted the possibilities within my current role. I had grown in my love of research. I was drawn to academia. I struggled to take this side of myself seriously. The possibility of working for a major university was like a mirage. An older friend showed me a job advertisement for the position of Senior Research Assistant at a major University. She looked at me and said: “I can see you in this position”. Life often calls us to step outside of the ordinary. It can be an opportunity or a person that inspires this change.
My uncertainties, justifications, and reasons for inaction quickly dissolved. What once appeared impossible, improbable, and merely a fragment of my imagination transformed into a possible reality. I swiftly compiled my application and resume and then awaited a response from the University. A profound sense of inner assurance enveloped me, leading me to believe this opportunity was destined for me. I recalled the story of the prophet Moses from the book of Exodus. Moses stood at the edge of the Red Sea, with the Israelite people watching anxiously. The armies of Pharaoh advanced rapidly in their chariots bearing down on the Israelites. There was no way of escape. In an extraordinary moment, Moses prayed to Yahweh. The waters of the Red Sea parted. The Israelites crossed the Red Sea safely to the other side. Shortly after the interview, I received a phone call on the same day confirming that the position was mine.
My Red Sea moment: Chronos and Kairos time.
Understanding the difference between Chronos and Kairos time has helped me make better decisions. Time is an important resource. Not all time is of equal value. Chronos or clock time is linear. We measure time by calendars and schedules. Chronos time is helpful when the need is to achieve tasks efficiently. Calculating the time it takes to drive my children to activities helps me to juggle multiple responsibilities. Chronos time helps me to organize myself around the daily routines that build a structure for Kairos opportunities to emerge. Turning up to work on time, completing tasks, and meeting Key Performance Indicators are examples of Chronos time. Adhering to Chronos time provides a salary. It offers benefits like annual (and paternity) leave. It provides an income that contributes to family expenses.
A Kairos moment is the most opportune or `right time’ to act for maximum impact. As the writer of Ecclesiastes observed, ‘There is a time for everything.’ There is a season for every activity under the heavens. Kairos time is a `felt moment.’ Words used to describe Kairos time include `rich’, `suspended in time’ or `seasonal’. Surfers and athletes use words like `peak experience’ or `being in the zone’ to describe Kairos time. Kairos has a seasonal aspect. Like farmers, there are times to sow and to reap to boost a good harvest. Kairos has the sense of being lifted ‘out of the ordinary business of life’ into a different quality of life. Embracing Kairos time improves our quality of life and happiness.
Maximizing Kairos opportunities: adopting a mindset of acceptance.
Kairos moments arise when we let go of the belief that we are at the center of our universe. The notion of being ‘…the master of my fate…and… the captain of my soul’ is poetic. Still, it can also feel overwhelming. Many elements are beyond our control. If you are indeed the master of your fate, you bear the full burden of the outcome. The simplistic viewpoint of `It’s all me…my efforts…my achievements…’ offers no space for other perspectives. What happens in the face of failure? External circumstances can derail or hinder our aspirations and objectives. It’s possible to experience losses in finances, business, or career opportunities due to economic fluctuations, health complications, or other variables. I once met an entrepreneur who ran a thriving computer company. That business failed after the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center on 09/11/2001. There is no journey without risk or the chance of failure. Far worse than failing to meet our goals is the agony of regret. The path of adventure is found in embracing a mindset of openness and acceptance of whatever happens.
Part 2. Maximising Kairos opportunities: embracing risk.
Foolish Times 