Discussion: The Time Paradox: The New Psychology of Time That Will Change Your Life

Author: Phil Zimbardo & John Boyd

Description: The time frame in which a person dwells with their thoughts has a significant impact on their life course, whether they are unable to let go of negative memories, revel in past moments of happiness, enjoy the present, or work towards a future goal. Psychologist Phil Zimbardo, along with his colleague John Boyd, has studied what it means to be past-, present-, or future-oriented and how a proper balance of time orientations is necessary for a happy and successful life. Zimbardo grew up as a child in a Sicilian immigrant family in New York. Sicilian families at that time lived for the day and invested little in their children's education. In Zimbardo's terminology, they were present-oriented and therefore remained stuck in low-skilled jobs. Zimbardo was only able to break out of this cycle and pursue a scientific career because his teachers at school were able to teach him to think more future-oriented and to forego present pleasure in anticipation of future rewards.

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