TED Radio Hour

The art of choosing what to do

71 snips
Oct 17, 2025
This discussion features Anne-Laure Sellier, a behavioral science professor, who shares insights on clock time versus event time, revealing how our time perceptions shape happiness. Oliver Burkeman, an author known for his thoughts on productivity, challenges the obsession with efficiency and encourages embracing life's limitations for meaningful action. Ayelet Fishbach, a behavioral scientist, offers practical strategies for motivation, emphasizing the importance of social support and goal management to enhance our pursuit of success.
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INSIGHT

Clock Time Vs Event Time

  • Anne-Laure Sellier identifies two time styles: clock time and event time, which shape behavior and perception.
  • Relying on the clock correlates with feeling less control and seeing the world as more chaotic.
INSIGHT

Schedules Outsource A Sense Of Control

  • Clock timers treat activities as independent time units and outsource schedule control to external clocks.
  • This externalization links to a greater tendency to attribute outcomes to chance or powerful others.
INSIGHT

Event Time Enhances Agency And Savoring

  • Event timers see activities as interdependent and feel more causally connected to outcomes.
  • They savor positive emotions more intensely and sustain them longer than clock timers.
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