BALANCED LIFE
The power of presence in creating remarkable experiences
By Elvira Wood, PPS Positioning Manager
In the world of sports, the presence – or absence – of a time limit can drastically shape how the game is played. Take cricket, for example: a Test match spans five days, allowing players to adopt a slower, more strategic pace where playing for time is a viable option. In contrast, T20 cricket has no such luxury. It is fast-paced and demands that players make immediate decisions without wasting time. This dynamic is true for many sports, where the game’ s length influences not only strategy but also the mindset and approach of the athletes.
Without a time limit, a game or sports match can stretch on indefinitely. The famous 11-hour, fiveminute tennis match between John Isner and Nicolas Mahut at Wimbledon in 2010 is a prime example. Without a clock ticking down, neither player was compelled to take high-risk decisions. Instead, they adopted a wait-and-see strategy, hoping their opponent’ s concentration or fitness would falter due to the match’ s extended length. This marathon contest led to a change in the rules, introducing a deciding set tiebreak at 12-12, ensuring matches would not drag on endlessly.
Interestingly, the absence of a time limit can also have the opposite effect – it can speed up the game. In sports like T20 cricket and sabre fencing, where there is no opportunity to“ play for time”, the focus sharpens. Every decision, every movement, becomes immediate and decisive. This mentality of not wasting time becomes critical in sabre fencing, where the game is known for its incredible speed and no clock to consider. The fast pace forces you to focus only on the next point, the next move – nothing else. This mindset is not limited to sports; it offers a valuable lesson in how we can approach life with purpose, intention and presence.
As someone who has competed at the highest levels of sabre fencing, including the Olympic Games, I have come to understand that there is a profound difference between playing within a time limit and living with no time to waste. In sabre fencing, you cannot afford to dwell on past actions or worry about what is to come. Your sole focus is the next point and this relentless focus has shaped my approach to life, mental health and self-care.
From sabre fencing, I have learned that when there is no time to waste, every action becomes intentional. You stop overanalysing what has already happened or worrying about what might happen next, and instead, you focus on what you are doing right now. This mental shift allows you to immerse yourself in the present moment with purpose fully. Whether preparing for the next move in a fencing bout or simply navigating the day’ s tasks, the key is to focus on the moment – not the end result. Interestingly, when you focus on each point with intention( in a fencing match), often the end result will turn out positively, not always, but often. By concentrating on the task at hand, you are more likely to achieve success, even if it is not guaranteed.
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