Time blocking is a productivity method that divides your day into small blocks of time. Each block of time is reserved for accomplishing a specific task.
It’s not just for getting things done.
Time blocking doesn’t have to be limited to work.
You can apply the same principle to manage your life.
Jonathan Estrin is right, “The way we spend our time defines who we are.”
A lot of people struggle with getting most things done. They are too busy to make time for everything they need to do.
If you feel like you don’t have time to get everything done, you need to try time blocking.
If you are used to scheduling or putting things on a calendar, you don’t have to do a lot to make it work for you.
All you have to do it to extend it to other areas of your life.
You can use time blocking to manage your work, build better habits, learn something new, make time for your relationships, and even overcome digital addiction.
You block time for reading your favorite books, binging TV shows, exercising, journaling, shopping or going out to a cafe.
It can also help you prioritize or make time for what’s essential in your life.
“A man who dares to waste one hour of life has not discovered the value of life,” says Charles Darwin.
If you feel as though your life is getting away from you, or if you simply want to improve your productivity, divide your entire day into blocks of time and schedule a specific amount of time for what you need to do.
You can even take it a step further by breaking bigger tasks into small pieces and scheduling “deep work” sessions when you are most productive. And then block time for breaks in between them.
For every task, activity, or event you put on your calendar, commit 100% to it. If you set time aside for reading at a specific time of day, honour it.
If you want to commit the entire weekend to spend time with your loved ones, be more present when you are around them.
It forces you to single-task and use your time and energy wisely.
For many people working from home, getting things done, and managing life have integrated into frustrating ways.
To make your day more productive, block almost everything you have to do, including the things you do outside work.
For example, you might write “take a walk to clear my head” on your calendar from 4 pm to 6 p.m. tomorrow or “continue passion project” from 8 pm to 9 pm as a way to put your evenings to good use.
You don’t have to time block all 24 hours in a day. Make it fun, not stressful.
Colour-code events on your calendar. Use different colours for work tasks, life events and activities for downtime.
Don’t aim for perfection.
Make it realistic.
Don’t underestimate how much time specific tasks or activities take. You can’t plan every detail of your day, but you can control most of it.
“Take care of the minutes and the hours will take care of themselves,” Lord Chesterfield once said.
Time blocking is just a tool to make life easier; make it work for you, not against you. If it’s too restrictive, it will make your life miserable.
If you struggle to commit to your schedule, switch things up.
If your calendar becomes overwhelming, structure things differently.
The aim is to do more of what’s working and what brings out the best in you.
