According to a recent study, time blocking is the most popular time management system used by professionals in their daily lives.
In today’s hectic business world, that’s saying something. There are tons of time management “hacks” and “fads” that come and go, but time blocking has become a staple tool for many professionals.
So what exactly is time blocking? In this article, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about it.
Keep reading to learn more.
What Is Time Blocking? #
Time blocking is a simple time management method used to divide your work day into “blocks” of time. Every single block, although differing in size, is assigned to a specific task or group of tasks.
During that time, you must only focus on that task. This is much more specific than keeping a haphazard, open-ended to-do list open on your desktop. This way, you can begin every day with a visual and concrete schedule that tells you exactly what to work on and when.
Although it sounds simple, preparation is key. In order to do this successfully, you need to prioritize your task list in advance. This means that you should be setting time aside to do a weekly review.
This can help you plan for what’s coming up in the week ahead and to make a rough schedule of what will happen each day. At the end of any given day, you can review anything that you didn’t finish and adjust the time blocks accordingly.
With all of your time being blocked already in advance, you won’t have to waste time constantly making choices about what you need to do. This can help increase productivity while you stay organized.
Why Does Time Blocking Work? #
Although time blocking sounds pretty simple and intuitive, it can have a profound impact on how you work.
There are several reasons for this. For one, it promotes deep work. When you schedule out a chunk of time to get a single thing done, you unconsciously bring all of your mental resources into a single task instead of it having it being thinned out over several tasks.
On the other hand, it allows you to set clear limits on “shallow” work like getting paperwork done or clearing out your inbox.
It also makes you very aware of how you are spending your time, even for people who are not organized.
Time Blocking Tips #
Let’s go over a few quick tips to get you time-blocking today.
First off, figure out what you need to work on for the day. This could be your normal to-do list. If you don’t have one, write it all down. This will help you prioritize what you need to do.
Secondly, figure out the time of the day when you’re most productive. This is different for everyone, so it’s important to schedule the harder tasks during your more productive hours. If you’re better in the morning, great. If you’re more effective at night, great.
Take advantage of your strengths and use time blocking to magnify them.
Start Organizing Your Life Better Today #
Now that you know the basics of time blocking, it’s time to get started putting it into practice! The good news is all you need is a piece of paper and a pen to start sketching out your time blocks.
If you want to hit the next level of productivity, look no further. Get more clarity and control over your life with Elisi.
Try it out for free today!
