Time elasticity. It’s even cliché to talk about it since it’s so common. Time flies by when you’re having fun or when a deadline is looming. Time crawls slowly when you’re bored or are waiting for something.

This isn’t just a saying, it’s a real psychological phenomenon. Our perception of time is incredibly malleable, shaped by our emotions, attention, and engagement level. The same hour can feel like minutes or like an eternity, depending on what we’re doing and how we’re feeling.

Or rather, we perceive time differently depending on our mood. This is not a universal phenomenon, it’s caused by our unreliable perception of reality. This is good because anything that’s caused by our brain can be controlled by us to an extent.

The psychology of time perception

Time perception is subjective, not objective. The clock may tick at the same rate, but your experience of time varies dramatically based on your mental state and activities.

When you’re engaged and focused, time seems to speed up. This is why hours can disappear when you’re working on something you love or when you’re in a state of flow. Your brain is so absorbed in the activity that it doesn’t track time passing.

When you’re bored or waiting, time seems to slow down. Your brain has nothing to focus on, so it becomes hyper-aware of the passage of time. Each minute feels like an eternity because you’re actively monitoring it.

Stress and deadlines compress time. When you’re under pressure, time feels scarce and precious. This can actually make you more productive, but it can also create anxiety and overwhelm.

Novel experiences stretch time. When you’re doing something new or different, your brain processes more information, making the experience feel longer and more memorable.

Routine activities compress time. When you’re doing something familiar, your brain goes on autopilot, making time seem to pass more quickly.

The impact of time perception on productivity

I used to think that I couldn’t achieve anything useful if I didn’t have a block of two or three hours free for it. This is a common misconception that limits productivity and creates unnecessary pressure.

The belief that you need large blocks of time is often an excuse for procrastination. It’s easier to say “I don’t have enough time” than to start working with the time you have.

Large time blocks can actually be less productive. When you have hours to work on something, you’re more likely to waste time getting started, taking breaks, and getting distracted.

Small time blocks force focus and efficiency. When you only have 15 or 30 minutes, you’re more likely to dive in immediately and work with intensity.

The compound effect of small blocks is enormous. Five minutes here, ten minutes there, adds up to significant progress over time. Small efforts compound into big results.

Small blocks reduce the barrier to starting. It’s much easier to commit to working for 15 minutes than for three hours. This makes you more likely to actually begin.

Changing your relationship with time

I have been changing that and taking advantage of even 5 minutes in between tasks to move forward at least a little bit. This simple shift in approach can transform your productivity and your relationship with time.

Every minute counts. Instead of thinking that you need hours to make progress, recognize that even small amounts of time can be valuable. A five-minute block can be enough to make a phone call, send an email, or review a document.

Use transition time effectively. The time between meetings, while waiting for something to load, or during short breaks can all be used productively. These small windows add up quickly.

Batch similar small tasks. Instead of doing one small task here and another there, group similar tasks together. This creates more efficient use of your small time blocks.

Have a list of five-minute tasks. Keep a list of things you can do in very short time periods. When you find yourself with a few minutes, you’ll know exactly what to do.

Use small blocks for maintenance tasks. Small time periods are perfect for tasks like organizing, cleaning, responding to messages, or reviewing your schedule.

The perception shift

It makes a difference in how I perceive both how much time I need for tasks and how fast/slow time goes by. This is the key insight: changing how you use time changes how you experience time.

When you use small blocks effectively, you realize that you need less time than you thought. Tasks that seemed to require hours can often be completed in much shorter periods when you work with focus and intensity.

Time feels more abundant when you’re using it well. When you’re making progress, even in small increments, time feels more valuable and less scarce. You’re not waiting for the perfect moment, you’re creating value in every moment.

The quality of time matters more than the quantity. Fifteen minutes of focused work is often more valuable than two hours of distracted work. It’s not about how much time you have, it’s about how you use it.

Small wins create momentum. Each time you complete something in a small time block, you build confidence and momentum. This makes it easier to tackle larger tasks and projects.

You become more aware of time waste. When you start using small blocks effectively, you become more sensitive to how you’re spending your time. You notice when you’re wasting time and can make better choices.

Practical strategies for time elasticity

Track your time perception. Notice when time feels fast or slow. What were you doing? How were you feeling? This awareness helps you understand your own time perception patterns.

Use the Pomodoro Technique with small blocks. Instead of 25-minute sessions, try 15-minute or even 10-minute sessions. This can make the technique more accessible and less intimidating.

Create time pressure artificially. Give yourself deadlines for small tasks. Tell yourself you have 10 minutes to complete something, then work with intensity to meet that deadline.

Use different time blocks for different types of work. Use small blocks for administrative tasks, medium blocks for focused work, and large blocks for creative or complex projects.

Practice time estimation. Regularly estimate how long tasks will take, then track how long they actually take. This improves your time perception and planning skills.

Eliminate time waste. Identify activities that make time feel slow and unproductive, then eliminate or minimize them. This includes mindless scrolling, excessive planning, and unnecessary meetings.

The mindset shift

Changing our attitudes in a simple way can help us alter our perception of time to our advantage. This is the fundamental insight: you have more control over your experience of time than you realize.

Stop waiting for perfect conditions. Don’t wait for large blocks of free time or ideal circumstances. Start working with whatever time you have, whenever you have it.

Embrace imperfection. Small time blocks won’t always be perfect. You might get interrupted or not finish what you started. That’s okay. Progress is progress, no matter how small.

Focus on consistency over intensity. It’s better to work for 15 minutes every day than to work for three hours once a week. Consistency creates momentum and builds habits.

Celebrate small wins. Acknowledge and appreciate every productive use of time, no matter how small. This reinforces the positive behavior and makes it more likely to continue.

Trust the process. Small efforts compound over time. Trust that using your time well, even in small increments, will lead to significant results.

The bottom line

Time elasticity is real and controllable. Your perception of time is shaped by your brain, and you can influence it through your choices and actions.

Small time blocks are powerful. You don’t need hours to make progress. Even five minutes can be valuable if you use them well.

Your attitude toward time matters. How you think about time affects how you experience it. Choose to see time as abundant rather than scarce.

Start small. Pick one small task and complete it in a short time block. Experience the satisfaction of making progress with limited time.

Build the habit. Make it a daily practice to use small time blocks effectively. Over time, this will transform your relationship with time and dramatically increase your productivity.

Time is elastic, but your control over it is real. By changing how you think about and use time, you can stretch it to your advantage and accomplish more than you ever thought possible.