The 17th | Kairos Time, Villains & the Decisions That Changed Everything

It’s June 17th, and I’m back in the Netherlands—yet a part of me remains in Bali. Why? Because something profound happened there during three days of quiet, open space, and deliberate slowness. This wasn’t just a vacation; it was a transformative experience in Kairos time. What I discovered there is reshaping how I think about time, decisions, and the projects I choose to pursue. In this article, I want to share that journey with you, unpack the difference between Chronos and Kairos, introduce you to the “villains” that hold us back, and reveal the three big decisions that will guide my work and life going forward.

Table of Contents

• Chronos vs. Kairos: Understanding Two Kinds of Time
• The Bali Silence: Meeting My Inner Villains
• The Three Big Decisions: Simplifying Focus and Finding Clarity
• A Personal Bonus: A Move in the Works
• Together and Alone: The Creative Balance
• Introducing Repossible Retreats: Your Invitation to Kairos Time
• Meet Your Villain: The First Step to Transformation
• Balancing Kairos and Chronos: The Tree Metaphor
• Final Thoughts: Now What?
• FAQ

Chronos vs. Kairos: Understanding Two Kinds of Time

We all live in Chronos time—the ticking clock of schedules, calendars, to-do lists, and rushing through coffee on the go. It’s linear, predictable, and measurable. Tick tick tick. This is the time that keeps our days organized but often leaves us feeling hurried and disconnected from deeper meaning.

Then there is Kairos time. This is different. Kairos is nonlinear, sacred, and potentially magical. It’s when time seems to slow down so you can actually speed up in clarity and purpose. Kairos is the time when decisions come from your highest self—not the hurried, stressed-out version of you. It’s the space where transformation happens.

The Bali Silence: Meeting My Inner Villains

For three days in Bali, I was alone—no plans, no people, no push. In that quiet space, I asked a simple but profound question that defines everything I do and, frankly, everything we all do:

“Now what?”

The answers I received were big and clear. But first, I had to confront what was holding me back. That’s when I met the villains. These aren’t scary monsters; they’re subtle, familiar voices inside us all, often sounding just like ourselves on repeat.

Let me introduce you to one of them: Mañana Mateo. Charming, relaxed, disarming—his favorite phrase is simply “mañana,” or “later.” He never says no; he just says later, and later never comes. His mantra, borrowed from Mark Twain, is classic:

“Never put off till tomorrow what you can do the day after tomorrow just as well.”

Mañana Mateo embodies procrastination wrapped in charm. Recognizing him was the first step in a 27-week journey to turn villains into heroes, and heroes into guides.

The Three Big Decisions: Simplifying Focus and Finding Clarity

Kairos time gifted me clarity, courage, and most importantly—decisions. I’m now reducing my work to just three projects, each designed to help explore decision-making, transformation, and personal growth in a meaningful way.

1. Now What? – The umbrella project and the core question. This is where stories, books, workshops, retreats, and talks intersect to explore identity, transformation, and decision-making. It’s the home of villains, heroes, and guides.
2. One. – The heartbeat of the year. Choose one word to guide your year—no lists, no resolutions, just one word. You write the book, live the word, and become the person who chose it. Over the next 27 weeks, we’ll explore nine villains, nine heroes, and nine guides through this one-word journey, creating a mosaic of courage, clarity, and confidence.
3. OPA (Other People’s Audiences). – The amplifier. This is where I help authors, creators, and entrepreneurs share their stories on podcasts, stages, and platforms that matter, like the Repossible YouTube channel and podcast. It’s about visibility without burnout—getting heard by the right people, not just louder.

A Personal Bonus: A Move in the Works

Beyond work, my wife and I are making a big personal decision: we’re moving. Not tomorrow, not Mañana, but soon. The where is still a secret for now—stay tuned.

Together and Alone: The Creative Balance

How did all these ideas come to life? It was a balance of togetherness and solitude. Together meant deep conversations with friends like Rich and M., asking hard questions, sharing stories, and living daily life—walking the dog, taking their daughter to school.

Alone looked like early mornings, meditation, recording unexpected podcast episodes, and collaborating with my mysterious creative partner, Charlie Holiday—who, by the way, thrives in Kairos time.

Introducing Repossible Retreats: Your Invitation to Kairos Time

Kairos time isn’t just a place; it’s a choice. To help you find that space, we’re launching Repossible Retreats. These won’t be your typical retreats in your backyard or your usual calendar spots. Instead, they’ll be held in places where Chronos fades and Kairos rises—places like Austin, San Francisco, Amsterdam, Italy, and Bali.

We’ll meet, write, walk, and ask the hard questions together—creating space to pause, shift, and experience the time outside of time.

Meet Your Villain: The First Step to Transformation

So, what’s holding you back right now? Which of the nine villains do you most resonate with? Often, it’s a mix of a few. To help you identify yours, I created a quick quiz and a hierarchy chart of villains. When you see their traits, you might be surprised to find they’re not so bad after all. Awareness is the beginning of transformation.

You can take the quiz here: repossible.com/villain

Tomorrow, Mañana Mateo’s one-word book will drop, kicking off a 27-week series exploring the villains, heroes, and guides within us all. Each week, a new book will help you understand these archetypes and inspire your own transformation.

Balancing Kairos and Chronos: The Tree Metaphor

Let me be clear: the goal isn’t to live 100% of the time in Kairos. That would be “crazy time”—too intense and unsustainable. We need Chronos as the roots of our existence—stable, foundational, grounding. Kairos are the leaves, high up in the branches. The deeper the roots, the higher the branches can reach.

Final Thoughts: Now What?

I’m back in the Netherlands, but still listening for what’s next. I invite you to ask yourself the same question:

“Now what?”

And when it comes time to act, will it be mañana or today?

Keep creating, keep questioning, and I’ll see you in Kairos time.

FAQ

What is the difference between Chronos and Kairos time?

Chronos is linear, measurable time—your schedule, calendar, and to-do lists. Kairos is nonlinear, sacred time—moments when things slow down and you gain clarity to make decisions from your highest self.

Who is Mañana Mateo?

Mañana Mateo is a character representing procrastination and delay. He never says no, only “later,” embodying the subtle villains that keep us from taking action.

What are the three projects Bradley is focusing on?

1. Now What? – Exploring decision-making and transformation through stories and events.
2. One. – Choosing one word to guide your year, explored through a 27-week book series.
3. OPA (Other People’s Audiences). – Helping creators share their stories on meaningful platforms.

What are Repossible Retreats?

Repossible Retreats are immersive experiences designed to help you step out of Chronos and into Kairos time through shared exploration in inspiring locations worldwide.

How can I identify my inner villain?

Take the quick quiz at repossible.com/villain to discover which of the nine villains resonate most with you. Awareness is the first step toward transformation.