In Time & Through Time Types

A person may be In Time or Through Time or also a combination of both. There are also arrangements in the form of spirals or loops and various combinations. Each arrangement has an impact on the person and their perception of time. The arrangement of our memories and our future usually has predictable effects on our personality. The main distinction made at the beginning is the question of whether a part of the Time-Line lies behind the person in question. If so, this person is In Time. If not, they are Through Time.

Through Time

Those who prefer to code their time in the form of Through Time experience it in such a way that all time is in front of them. Time flows continuously and uninterrupted. For them, it may be "long", they are aware of its duration. For Through Time-people, memories are usually dissociated – that is, they see themselves in the memory. The arrangement of the memories themselves further reinforces the dissociation, as all their memories always lie in front of them; they must therefore be dissociated.

Through Time people are usually punctual or know when they are late. A Through Time person has arranged their time in a linear sequence of events. Some of these people even know the exact time almost down to the minute! From a business perspective, an accountant with Through Time traits is likely to stay on track and probably finish on time. In accounting, punctuality is important! They will have planned their work for each day of the month and usually complete everything on time.

A Through Time person may be better at staying on a task, but may be less able to concentrate their attention and "be here now" than an In Time person. In a hectic environment, a Through Time person may have difficulty focusing. From a business perspective, this person may perform poorly if they have to work in a chaotic environment. For the Through Time person, work time is something entirely different from play – work should be serious –, and they live a more orderly, regulated, planned life. The Through Time person says: "Plan your work and work according to plan." Such a person sets deadlines, takes them seriously, and expects this from others as well. They have a strong need to complete things – a drive to "get things rolling". The traits of a Through Time person closely correlate with C. G. Jung's description of the preference for "Judging" types.

In Time

A In Time-person codes their memories preferably from front to back, top to bottom, or in the form of a "V" or another arrangement where part of the past, present, or future is behind or within them.

For In Time-people, usually part of their history or the future aspect of their Time-Line is inaccessible unless they turn their head. When In Time people want to recall memories, they go back to a specific memory or point in time and then find themselves associated in that memory. They can go back to a specific point "In Time". Since they are not as aware of the duration of time as a Through Time person, they may get stuck in the "now" and may have difficulty finishing a meeting or session. An In Time person usually does not know if they are five minutes late.

An In Time person finds it much easier to "be here now". A Through Time person finds it difficult to be in the "here and now" as the past, present, and future are constantly present before them. In Time people may appear unreliable. They need unlimited options and prefer to keep their possibilities open, so they often hesitate to make a decision as this could limit their options. These people sometimes need someone to keep them on track, as they may struggle to concentrate over the long term, e.g., on a long-term project. They often have difficulty structuring tasks.

In Time people can, however, go back to the past and stay there without difficulty, as their memories are associated. An In Time person often views work time and leisure time as one and the same – and work usually means play. Such a person often leads a less orderly, more spontaneous, flexible, and unbounded life. The In Time person does not plan, as they take everything as it comes and adapt to life as they live it. Usually, such people avoid setting deadlines. When faced with a deadline, they may artificially set early dates. They show a strong need to keep their options open and avoid being pinned down. There is a high correlation between the In Time person and the preference for the types of "perceiving" according to C. G. Jung.