Timing is Everything
October 7, 2026
People who own mechanical or older watches or clocks know one rule that has stood the test of time: never turn the hands backward. Doing that can damage the delicate mechanisms inside.
It’s a pretty good metaphor for life.
We can’t literally go backward in time. We can honor the past, learn from it, and preserve the parts that matter. I enjoy reflecting on the past, but I also spend time thinking about the future — and I do it in two simple ways.
First, I think about where I’d like to be a few years from now and what I want life to look like. Creating that picture gives me a sense of direction and motivation.
Second, I take a moment to imagine how I want the day to go. I visualize the conversations, decisions, and interactions unfolding in a positive and productive way.
Those two practices — long-term vision and short-term intention — consistently set the tone for better days. They help me focus on what matters and add a sense of calm before the day begins.
And leaders can apply these same ideas in simple, practical ways:
- Start your day with a brief mental rehearsal. Picture key conversations and decisions going smoothly. It takes less than a minute and improves focus and confidence.
- Choose one behavior your “future self” would demonstrate. Pick a trait — patience, clarity, decisiveness — and practice it today.
- Use the past as data, not direction. Review what happened, take the lesson, and shift your attention back to what you can influence next.
We can’t turn the hands backward on a watch — or in life — but we can move forward with clarity and purpose. That’s what makes the day, and the future, better.
