Timing isn’t just something I learned in music (though that is what laid the foundation of the importance of timing), it’s the invisible thread woven through every arena of my life. In life, in business, in conversations, it plays such an important role in making or breaking your moment(s).
Music: Rhythm, Expression & Flow
As a musician, timing is everything. Not just counting beats, but feeling the space between notes… expressive pauses, ensemble alignment, the difference between a bland performance and something alive. It’s the discipline of listening as much as playing. It is what brings about a cathartic experience.
Skateboarding: Push, Pump, Pop, and Stomp
Skateboarding is flow in physical form. Timing in approaching a gap, matching speed to terrain, or aligning pressures all relies on rhythm. The right timing turns trick after trick into a fluid expression, just like nailing transitions between jobs or projects.
Events: The Show Must Begin… On Time
Working in events taught me that missing cues isn’t an option. Sound checks, load‑ins, security meetings… everything hinges on perfect timing. One misstep in setup throws everyone off. That same principle applies to bakery pop‑ups or market mornings today. Set‑up timing creates atmosphere, trust, and calm.
Jobs Old & New: Learning When to Move
Every role—from tubist to conductor, counselor to bartender, volunteer to venue coordinator, they all taught me one thing: when you do something matters just as much as what you do. Shipping a deliverable before noon, restocking supplies at natural lulls, batching emails before the rush of the office rather than interrupting flow, timing is the discipline behind efficiency.
Timing Meets Life Purpose
I’ve come to see timing not as pressure, but as pattern. Structure that supports creative living. It gives us windows for rest, momentum for work, and space to breathe between everything else.
Dan Millman wrote that we can do anything—but not at the same time. Timing helps decide when to do what. Combined with discipline and prioritization, it becomes a kind of grace within the grind.
And science backs it up. It’s been explained that peak performance often follows our natural rhythms: morning clarity, afternoon slump, evening reset. Leaning into your rhythm helps to make better choices and stay productive day after day.
Why Timing Matters Everywhere
Whether it was syncing a brass quartet in college, anticipating crowd flow at events, catching that exact moment to pop an ollie, or hitting the perfect window for baking before setting up for market sales, it all boils down to the same truth:
- Timing builds trust. On stage, in business, in life.
- Timing creates momentum. One well-timed move often leads to the next.
- Timing invites flow. When you trust your rhythm, everything else aligns.
Timing at Saintly Cinnamon Rolls
Today, timing shapes my role as the husband to a cottage baker at Saintly Cinnamon Rolls. It’s in knowing exactly when to start the coffee on a bake day so it’s ready before the first batch proofs. It’s in setting up the booth early enough that my wife can focus on presentation instead of logistics. It’s even in the pacing of conversations with customers, knowing when to share a story, when to step back, and when to close the sale.
Every cinnamon roll we sell is the result of hours of well-timed preparation; mixing, rising, baking, packaging. It all leads to that perfect moment when someone takes their first bite.
In music, sports, events, and now bakery life, I’ve learned this: timing isn’t just a skill, it’s a way of life. And the better I respect it, the better I can support the people (and the cinnamon rolls) I care about most.
Ethan Avina 