Polychronic versus Monochronic People

Time Management, Priority, Pareto PrincipleTime is the great equalizer – everyone of us has the same 168 hours in a week, it’s what we do with those hours that separates the successful from the also-rans. I know it’s harsh, but it’s true.

If you can’t master your time, you become a slave to the clock – your business (or boss’) clock, your home (wife’s/husband’s) clock and of course the ever-present biological clock!

One of the most powerful and liberating things you can learn is TIME MANAGEMENT – but you need a holistic, purpose-driven approach that ensures you attain life-work balance without compromising your goals, dreams and aspirations.

Easier said than done, I know. That’s why I’d like you to explore Exponential Mindset Thinking as an alternative to a stress-filled week of unmet deadlines and never-ending to do lists.

Which one of these are you? Monochronic or polychronic?

Time Management, Polychronic, Monochonic, Time Sense

The key to success is to learn what you need to work on – DEPENDING on which type of person you are.

2 Responses to “Polychronic versus Monochronic People”


  • Hello,

    That’s a very interesting article and it makes me think of Geert Hofstede’s analysis of culture. In a globalized world, it is certain that culture has an influence on international business. Therefore, he identifies 5 dimensions for classifying cultures:

    1. Power distance (measures power inequality between superiors and subordinates within a social system)
    2. Uncertainty avoidance
    3. Long term/short term orientation
    4. Masculinity/femininity
    5. Individualism/collectivism

    The third dimension can be applied to individuals but also to a whole group of people, even a country.

    For instance, Monochronic Time or M-time typifies most North Americans, Swiss, Germans, and Scandinavians. They concentrate on one thing at a time. They divide time into small unites and are concerned with promptness.

    Polychronic time or P-time people are more concerned about the completion of a human transaction rather than holding to schedules. P-time is characterized by multi-tasking and by “a great involvement with people”

    Personally, I think that I’m a P-time person.

    Thank you for the article,

    Tatiana Chung
    Treasury Management Systems
    Finpacific Treasury Systems

  • Monochronic: MBTI Judging, sense of time from left brain
    Polychronic: MBTI Perceivers, sense of time from right brain

    Thanks for the chart. I pinned.

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