Are You Time-Obsessed… or Chill?
Across cultures, time moves at different speeds. In research from California State University (Fresno), Professor Robert Levine compared several nations and found Japan to have one of the fastest everyday paces, while Indonesia approached time most peacefully.
This quick quiz—similar in spirit to the Stanford Time Perspective Inventory—helps gauge your sense of urgency and time orientation.
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Question 1. Being late for an appointment bothers me.
- Rarely or very little
- Sometimes or moderately
- Often or a lot
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Question 2. I feel lost when I forget to wear a watch.
- Rarely or very little
- Sometimes or moderately
- Often or a lot
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Question 3. It’s hard for me to do nothing and watch time pass.
- Rarely or very little
- Sometimes or moderately
- Often or a lot
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Question 4. I can’t stand being kept waiting.
- Rarely or very little
- Sometimes or moderately
- Often or a lot
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Question 5. Putting off finishing a task annoys me.
- Rarely or very little
- Sometimes or moderately
- Often or a lot
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Question 6. I make to-do lists.
- Rarely or very little
- Sometimes or moderately
- Often or a lot
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Question 7. I’m on time for work and help others meet deadlines.
- Rarely or very little
- Sometimes or moderately
- Often or a lot
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Question 8. I love doing lots of things in as little time as possible.
- Rarely or very little
- Sometimes or moderately
- Often or a lot
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Question 9. When I have a few hours to spare, I plan how to use them best.
- Rarely or very little
- Sometimes or moderately
- Often or a lot
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Question 10. If I expect a long wait, I bring work or something to read.
- Rarely or very little
- Sometimes or moderately
- Often or a lot
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Question 11. I like setting a fixed amount of time for projects.
- Rarely or very little
- Sometimes or moderately
- Often or a lot
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Question 12. I carry a notepad for to-do lists.
- Rarely or very little
- Sometimes or moderately
- Often or a lot
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Time Isn’t a Big Deal to You
Time constraints rarely shape your choices. Others may feel frustrated by your laid-back approach. Try planning key tasks and sticking to simple deadlines—you’ll keep your freedom and earn trust.
Context Culture shapes how we experience time, but our subjective clock also matters. Levine’s work suggests some people lean past-, present-, or future-oriented. To lower stress, focus on essentials first, then let minor tasks wait.
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Realistic About Urgency
You manage time responsibly and act when it matters. You balance deadlines with common sense—a healthy middle ground.
Context Our experience of time shifts with what we’re doing, who we’re with, and our mood. Prioritizing the most meaningful tasks helps keep stress down and momentum up.
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Time-Obsessed
You’re edging toward clock-watching overload. Reframe what’s truly urgent, tackle priorities first, and let lower-impact tasks wait—life won’t fall apart.
Context Culture influences pace, but personal orientation counts. Shifting some focus back to the present can ease pressure without hurting performance.