Do you ever find yourself wondering what task you should tackle next? Does the question, “What am I supposed to be doing right now?” sound all too familiar? Let’s put an end to that. I want to introduce you to the sanity-saving, clarity-bringing technique of time blocking—because knowing exactly what you're doing, when, is a game-changer for productivity.
Time Blocking: Your Daily Game Plan
Think of time blocking as crafting your daily game plan. Just like a quarterback has a playbook, you’ll have your schedule – clear, decided, and deliberate. It’s all about dedicating specific blocks of time to your tasks, leaving no room for the stress of uncertainty. You'll know that from 9 am to 10 am, it's your deep work time, or from 1 pm to 2 pm, you’re conquering emails. No more guesswork – just action.
Don't forget to pick up your FREE printable of a sample time blocking schedule at the bottom of this post!
Why You'll Love Time Blocking
- Clear Direction: No more standing in the kitchen wondering if you should start laundry or dive into emails. Your planner has the answer.
- Focus Booster: With a task set for each block, your mind isn't wandering. It’s zeroed in, and that means better results, faster.
- Stress Reducer: Anxiety about the day? Not for you. You’ve got your day outlined, and each checkmark on that list is a step towards relaxation.
- Task Cohesion: Remember our chat about task batching? Pair it with time blocking for the ultimate efficiency combo. Check out our task batching blog for a refresher on grouping similar tasks and maximizing focus.
Schedule It All - Yes, Everything!
We encourage you to block out time for every part of your day. And I mean everything—work, exercise, meals, and especially, your ‘me-time’. This holistic approach means you’re not just productive; you’re balanced. You’re taking care of business and taking care of you. After all, what’s a well-organized day without a little self-care sprinkled in?
Bonus tip: Plan time for the unexpected. I like to block in at least an hour each day (sprinkled in 15 minute increments) just so I have room for issues as they arrive. If my day goes exactly as I planned, I take that time to work on whatever project I want to, or I just leave work early for the day.
Take the First Step with Time Blocking
If you’re ready to embrace a life where each day flows smoothly, and you can lay your head down at night feeling accomplished and calm, time blocking is for you. Start small if you need to. Block out a morning, see how it feels, and then expand from there. Before you know it, you’ll wonder how you ever managed without it.
Remember, our discbound planners are perfect for this. With customizable inserts and layouts, they’re ready to become the cornerstone of your new, beautifully structured day.
Your Step-by-Step Guide to Time Blocking
Ready to give time blocking a go? Here’s your simple, step-by-step guide to getting started. Trust me, it’s like having a personal assistant who's on top of everything—because that assistant is you, armed with the perfect plan.
Step 1: List Your Tasks Begin by writing down everything you need to do. Don’t worry about the order; just get it all on paper or in your digital planner. From work assignments to picking up the kids, include it all. We like our deadline task lists for this process.
Step 2: Prioritize Wisely Once you have your list, it’s time to prioritize. What’s urgent? What’s important? And what can wait? This will help you see which tasks deserve prime spots in your day.
Step 3: Estimate the Time Now, take a moment to estimate how long each task will take. Be realistic here—it’s better to overestimate and finish early than to run out of time.
Step 4: Sketch Out Your Day Grab your planner and start penciling in blocks of time for each task. Match your most challenging tasks with your peak productivity hours. And remember, life isn’t just about work—block time for lunch, exercise, and breaks too. We really like using planner layouts that include a daily schedule for this. Try our Daily No. 13 Planner Inserts for the perfect amount of scheduling and task space.
Step 5: Assign Each Task to a Block This is where the magic happens. Assign each task to a specific block of time. For instance, 9 am - 10 am could be for your morning workout, 10 am - 12 pm for your work project, and so on.
Step 6: Stick to the Plan Now, follow your plan. When the scheduled time for a task arrives, do it. When the time is up, move on. This might be hard at first, but it's crucial for time blocking to work.
Step 7: Review and Adjust At the end of the day or week, review how well your time blocks worked. What went as planned? What didn’t? Adjust your time estimates and your blocks as needed for next time.
Final Tip: Don't forget to use your planner's flexibility to your advantage. With a discbound system, you can move things around as your priorities shift. And if you find yourself needing more guidance, circle back to our blog on task batching. It’s a powerful ally in your time management arsenal.
So, what’s your first time block going to be? Dive into your time blocking journey, and let’s turn those scattered tasks into scheduled success.