Timing IS Everything!

How many times in response to a decision, competition, or conversation have you said, “Timing is everything?” A zillion, right? But good timing always seemed more serendipity than science.

Not so says Daniel H. Pink, author of When: The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing. Based on research in the fields of psychology, biology, neuroscience, and economics, Pink reveals that the art of timing has scientific underpinnings. By understanding the science behind the clock, you will never be “in the wrong place at the wrong time” again!

Take the “afternoon trough,” a time of day when everyone is less engaged. The afternoon trough affects our mood, productivity, and health. Starbucks appreciates this phenomenon, but does your boss or surgeon?  The precise time of the trough? According to a British workplace study, 2:55 PM is the most unproductive moment of the day.

But before you write off afternoons forever, Pink demonstrates how organizations and individuals triumph over the trough with a variety of measures including checklists and strategic breaks.

Beyond the middle, Pink also examines beginnings and endings. For example, whether pitching a new client, interviewing for a job, or participating in a talent show, when you compete is just as important as what you do or say.

In the literary tradition of the Heath brothers and Malcolm Gladwell, When is a quick read with engaging examples and practical takeaways.

What Other Reviewers Say

Wall Street Journal: “Pink delivers the bad news about our time-based weaknesses with some good news about how to compensate for them. More delightful still, many of these tips involve simply slowing down, taking breaks and stealing naps. Alas, none of this advice will prevent time from flying by, but at least there are proven ways to fill our hours a bit better.”

Who Wrote It

Daniel H. Pink is the author of several books, including The New York Times bestsellers Drive, To Sell is Human, and A Whole New Mind. His books have won multiple awards and have been translated into thirty-five languages.