2 Ways to Time Block For Productivity

Do you have a long to do list?
So many things to do but little time to do so. Me too. Life is busy for all of us particularly us women who try to balance so many things. Juggling to keep all the balls in the air not wanting to drop one or let one go. Naturally, with so much to do each day, we need a system to help us keep on top of it all. The system that helps me be productive as I take action towards my goals, work, do home chores and have that special ‘me time’ is time blocking. 

A Focussed Time Block Produces Results.

In a way many of us time block without realizing it. We blank out times in our diary for work, activities, catch up with friends. Yet, time blocking can be taken to a new level. One that enables you to get so much more completed each day. 

The first step is deciding what you need to do today. Write a list of everything you need to do. Don’t forget those goals your working towards. Include one or two activities that will take you closer to achieving your goals. If you read 3 things to do to reinvent yourself you’ll know I ask myself an important question every day. “What 2 things can I do today to feel amazing and bring me closer to my goals?”. The two things I note down get allocated time that day. 

Next, look at your list and decide what order you will do your activities. Naturally, some activities are decided for you like work or being a taxi driver for one of your children. Remember your goals as you decide on the order of these daily tasks.
The object is to time block for productivity, this means looking at your schedule and the tasks that you need to do that day.

The Two Different Ways To Time Block To Achieve More Each Day. 

Time block for productivity using your calendar.

The first way is to schedule your activities to do in your calendar leaving a buffer zone for when tasks take a little longer. As we know they all do. Effective time blocking takes a little time but can really help you with your daily schedule.

Getting things done with task based time blocking .

The second way is to set the timer for 30 minutes. Choose an activity and do the activity. If the activity takes longer than 30 minutes, give yourself a 5 minute break after 30 minutes and set the timer again. 

Once you have completed the activity tick it off the list and move to the next task. Once again choosing the task, setting a timer and doing the task. You’d be amazed at how much you complete with undisturbed focus.

Say NO to multitasking. 

Multitasking is something many people give themselves credit for, especially us women. An example of multitasking is making a phone call while driving, hands free of course.
The one I do often is listen to an audiobook on audible while power walking.
However, apparently multitasking costs time and money. As every time you switch tasks, you stop and then start, then stop and start. The stopping and starting causes you to lose momentum. Multitasking is definitely the one hack to stop to be more productive.

When you block out time to do an activity you create momentum with individual focus given to that one task. 

pin to read later

How To Combine Daily Time Blocking and Task Time Blocking For Ultimate Productivity.

Time blocking for bloggers.

I’ve been blogging since 2017, chipping away at small tasks daily. The way I did this was to time block. 

First I scheduled the time in my calendar to work on my blog. In general, this is normally in the evenings between 7pm and 9pm. 

Next, I schedule the activities I’m doing in the allocated time. Anyone who blogs knows there is a lot to learn and different stages to work on when blogging. Content creating, traffic growth and monetization. Each one requires different skills and tasks. 

The first thing I do is refer back to my daily question ‘what can I do today to feel amazing and bring me closer to my goal? In this example the goal is blogging. 

If I’m working on traffic growth one of my actions today maybe;

• to create a new Pinterest pin for an old blog post
• share it on Pinterest
• schedule with Tailwind. Tailwind is my preferred scheduler for Pinterest pins.

The second action on my list may be to edit an old post for SEO. SEO is great for organic growth especially being found on google. I write blogs for SEO using google, it’s a free simple technique which is great when you first start blogging.

If the above two tasks take less than 2 hours, I look at other tasks I have on my list that will help towards my current blog goal.

Time block to complete the chores.

We all have chores to do around the home, which I’m sure many of us delay. I sure do, I can always think of something more interesting I’d like to do. However, the jobs around the home need doing to. I find blocking time out for the home chores works wonders.

• Write a list of things you need to do around the home.
• Next set a timer for 30 minutes.
• Start doing one of the things on the list.
• After 30 minutes, stop or have a 5 minute break.
• Congratulate yourself on the action you have taken.

Just decluttering or tidying the home for 30 concentrated minutes can produce great results.

Here are a few examples of what you can do in little time. 

• Clean the fridge.
• Sort out some cupboards.
• Clean the kitchen.
• Bag up some clothes you don’t wear. 
• Reorganize shelves in a room, decluttering as you go. 

I like to delegate some chores. Therefore, I often book in time with the family. Together with my family, over 2 hours, we can clean the house top to bottom all focusing on different chores. Teamwork.

Time blocking for personal growth and self care. 

I love a cup of tea in the afternoon and therefore block out 45 minutes of ‘me time’ for a cup of tea. I know drinking a cup of tea doesn’t take that long but I have created a habit of reading a chapter of a book or two while I drink my cup of tea.
It is my time to invest back in myself. Reading is just one way I invest in myself. I also block out time to journal in the morning and walk daily. 

Unless you have created the habit of doing a task regularly, if it’s not on the calendar there is a good chance it won’t happen.

I’m always busy, just as I know you are. Each day there is only so much we can fit in. Although I like to time block for productivity, productivity comes from a place of focus. Focus comes more naturally when we are not tired. Therefore the one thing I do daily is to ensure I have blocked in self care time as this energizes me.
As you time block your day and your tasks remember you. Time block ‘me’ time for yourself, for your personal growth and for productivity.

Have you tried time blocking before? Share in the comments below how time blocking worked for you or how you go about creating time for yourself and your goals.