Frequently Asked Questions

Nothing. Most human beings find that “Time Management” doesn’t work for them.

Here’s our answer by asking a different question:

How come other people can play the bassoon and you can’t?

• They really want to.
• They practice.
• Their brains are wired for music (time management).

Don’t know for sure. While you’re asking questions, we recommend getting curious about these:

• Can time be managed?
  Hint: Tell time to slow down, or speed up. Observe results.
• What are you managing when you “manage your time”?
  Hint: Start trying to “manage your time” and notice who’s telling whom what to do.
• Is there such a thing as “Time Management?”
  Hint: “Time Management” is a metaphor. An abstraction. A figure of speech. This site is designed to help you find a new metaphor — and new practices — that work for you and for your brain.

There is a much more interesting question buried in there: How can you move through life in a way that is natural and easy for you? Time Natives aren’t people who manage their time well — they are people who found the natural way for them to relate to time.

Plenty of options, choose what works for you, and start exploring!

• Browse our blog.
• Download our free eBook, The Curious Person’s Alternative to Time Management. They will both help you get curious and start playing.
• If you like something much more personal, you can also have an introductory Time Native Coaching Call.
• Sign up for our newsletter.
• Follow us on Facebook or Twitter.
• Join us in our Beta Test Team of the Time Native Deproblemizer Kit.

It’s about curiosity. In 2009, a group of curious people noticed that millions of people are suffering about time (mostly not having enough of it) and “Time Management” (mostly not being able to do it well). We got curious about why “Time Management” doesn’t work for so much of the population. Then we started getting really curious about another thing we noticed: A much smaller number of  people move through time in a way that is natural and graceful and easy for them. They get things done, they have a good life, and they are, on the whole, pretty happy folks. Some of these people use “Time Management Systems,” but we noticed that many of them are doing something different: They move through life without following the dictates of any book, online course, or “system.”

We went on to call these people Time Natives, because they deal with time as their natural element, the place where they are at home and at ease. Then we set out to show the larger group how to be a Time Native too.

You mean, besides the fact that we don’t believe you can manage time at all? Well, Time Native is different because we encourage and teach you to get curious about how your brain really works regarding time. “Time Management Systems” just give you a set of rules to follow so you can try to keep up with a faster and faster-moving machine.

Modern neuroscience has shown conclusively that curiosity and play are the most powerful tools that the human brain has for learning, growing, and developing. Think of children interacting with their world. They notice new things. They get intensely curious. They play with ideas, physical objects, concepts, social structures, movement, and more. This is how they learn. But, as we get older, the rational part of the brain (the pre-frontal cortex, to be precise) develops, and childlike curiosity and play often take a back seat to “figuring things out” or “analyzing the situation.” That’s a shame. As vital as that rational thought is to us, it’s not a mechanism for learning or change. It just thinks it’s smart! Time Native is all about restoring our native curiosity and playfulness to their rightful roles in our lives.

You can read more about our philosophy and about curiosity and play here.

Yes. We’ve been testing our approach for several years through individual coaching programs, online courses, teleclasses, live workshops, and our ebook. Our customers tell us how they resolve problems that had always seemed unsolvable. They play with tools that work well for them. We’ve had people make up some crazy stuff that works beautifully for how they think and how their lives really work.  People find themselves getting more done with a lot less stress. People tell us they spend more time with their family, get more exercise, and focus on what really matters to them.

For twenty years, Barak has been exploring how to create innovative and powerful experiential learning programs. Five years ago, he and Paul started reading about the latest breakthroughs in neuroscience, and realized that their unique programs were so effective because they were consistent with the way our brains actually learn. Since then, they and their fellow Time Natives have explored these breakthroughs more deeply, and consult regularly with the Brainy Bunch (aka, our Science Advisory Panel) and other Ph.D neuroscientists and experts to keep our work on the cutting edge.

You can check out the Time Native Guides and the Brainy Bunch here.

Because everyone else calls them Dr. This and Professor That. Plus, when they start talking about gamma-aminobutyric acid and proteolysis, we can say, “Hey, Brainy Bunch, cut it out!”

Uh…no. All we can ever do is create an opportunity for you to learn. You still need to engage, to get curious, to play and experiment, and to do it over time. You may have an “aha” moment from something of ours that you read or watch. The learning and change will happen only when you get your brain actively involved by taking new actions.

Not really. A habit is fairly mindless, like brushing your teeth before bed. Usually when we build a new habit, it’s a stand-alone activity or thought pattern. Your brain knows it needs to make a to-do list because it’s in the habit of doing so, but it’s not a very aware pattern. It’s not cognitively connected to anything more meaningful. Time Natives learn about their environment, their minds, and the tools and techniques that work for them. By building this richer understanding, they intuitively know which tools will support them in different times and circumstances. You can think of it as building a whole bunch of new, smart, self-aware and self-adjusting habits that are here to make your life easier.

As soon as you’re curious, you’re a Time Native! Many people find that sudden shifts happen that they can’t quite explain. It may take only a moment for a new pattern to appear. But, making those new patterns long-lasting is another story. That’s why we have a short program (to jump-start your curiosity and give you some aha’s), individual coaching (to dig deeper, learn faster, and give personalized support) and and are developing a longer program that will go on for many months (designed to support your ongoing learning and actually living the ah-has). Some of us have been getting curious about time and how it affects our lives for many years, and we keep discovering new things. We’re happy to help make your journey as long or short as you like.

We think it’s pretty interesting as well! And not just the neuroscience. There’s linguistics, psychology, sociology, and even some pretty weird physics that have gone into our work on curiosity, play and Time Native. Shortly, we’ll be adding a resource center with some of our favorite books, articles and online resources (including some wonderful lectures).

You can always post questions or ponderings on our Facebook page, and we’d be very happy to hear from you and answer any questions. You can also explore more in a custom-tailored individual program with Barak.