Time blocking method is a habit of planning your daily schedule into time blocks with a specific timeframe for each task. It is a perfect tool to organize and focus on accomplishing your day’s schedule. 

Time blocking will lend a helping hand to control your day and to avoid procrastination.

Many successful people plan their daily schedules using the time blocking method.

Benjamin Franklin was familiar with the time blocking method. He would plan every hour of his day, including lunch break and rest.

” The Lost Time Is Never Found Again “

By Benjamin Franklin.

Time Blocking Method

Time Blocking is a time management and productivity tool.

The main idea in this method is to focus on a particular task at a time. It will improve the outcome as you will not be multitasking.

To start with,

1.Make A To-do List For Each Day.

Set aside a couple of minutes during the end of the day to make a to-do list of tasks that need to complete the following day. Note the order of their importance. 

Have a clear sense of what task to do during which time of the day and the duration needed to complete that task.

2.Plan Your Day Schedule 

On an app or a google calendar, plan your day.

There are many apps available to use for the day to day planning. 

Start with the time you are up as the beginning time of your time blocking planner until you sleep at the planner’s end. 

Divide the day into 30 minutes to 1-hour time block each. The time block template is ready for you now.

In the initial few hours of the day, your mind will be very fresh and assign high-intensity priority work. Then, allow the other simple and less intense tasks for the latter part of the day. 

You know yourself better than anyone else. If you are more productive during the afternoons, then assign. If you are more productive during the morning, then plan the high-priority task then.

Add extra time in each block more than you have calculated. Often, it takes more time to finish the task than calculated. Sparing buffer time between your schedule will smoothen out the plan often.

3.Theme Days

If your work’s nature requires working for long hours on a particular kind of work; then, you can set each day in a week for one specific type of work.

Monday – Meetings and appointment

Tuesday – Research

Wednesday – Writing

Thursday – Writing

Friday – Marketing

This way, you will spend less time switching between the tasks. You will not be multitasking and become more productive.

4.Include Refreshing Breaks.

Be realistic when you plan the day. Include timely breaks to refresh and recharge yourself.

Five minutes of break between the tasks will boost your energy and recharge you.

Include breaks like meditation, coffee break, rest, and personal care

5.Empty Block On The Calendar

Always have an empty block in your calendar. You can accommodate emergencies in that black. The unexpected meetings or clients not showing up for an appointment in time are common.

White space in the calendar is always helpful, and remember to have one in your calendar every day.

Time blocking tips

These tips will help to make your time blocking planner to be achievable.

1.Review Everyday

Review before planning is the key mantra. The ideal time to review your schedule is in the evenings.

Analyze where you needed extra time to complete the task. Finish the job earlier or which work is still unfinished.

Reviewing the time blocking schedule is a self-reflection. You will know when to cut short the time and finish the task in a specified time block.

2.Plan Ahead

Plan the next day’s time blocking schedule based on your review. Thus, reviewing makes an essential factor in making the time blocking method a successful one.

3.Best Time Blocking App

Sign up for the best time blocking app in the market. The apps will plan your schedule and prevent the clash between the tasks.

The apps are straightforward, and all you need to do is fill in the details into your time blocking template. Besides, they come with reminders and notifications to help you keep up with the next task in line.

Try time blocking google calendar or todoist time blocking for scheduling your day.

These digital apps are convenient and no extra effort and time saving to make your life easier.

4.Realistic Schedule

Plan a realistic and achievable schedule. Of course, it is better to be optimistic to give a gentle push. But being over-optimistic will affect your entire day’s plan.

Build your time blocking schedule that works for you and follow without losing focus.

5.Task Batching

Incorporate similar jobs under the same group. Allot a block to attend all these at the same time.

Task batching will prevent a waste of time while switching the task. For example, to interview a recruit for the research team and a new marketing agency, you can plan both in a single time block.

Grouping will save your time and energy.

6.Time Boxing

The time blocks in your calendar have a time limit, which will dictate the time allotted for a specific task. The time limit will stop you from being distracted and focus on working efficiently.

Timeboxing improves productivity and perfectionism.

7.Time Tracking

Time tracking is essential when working for a client and billing as per the number of hours spent on the project. You will have a transparent idea about the number of blocks spent on a particular project.

8.A Personal Time-Space Block

Create a personal time-space in your planner to spend time with family or what you love to do.

Time spent doing what you love the most will boost your energy to help you do other tasks with complete focus.

9.Do Not Disturb Mode

While working on the high-priority intense work, snooze your mobile phone. It will stop you from interrupting notifications. Inform your coworkers that you not available for calls and you are on Do Not Disturb mode. 

You will take some time to cut the distractions and learn to focus.

10.Daily Tweaking 

By the way, it is okay to have many revisions of your time block schedule. Following the time blocking method is like cultivating a new habit. Habit formation needs time and dedication from your end.

Tweaking your schedule every day will help you build a perfect planner. It will help you to achieve your goals and be super productive.

11.Pomodoro Technique

Pomodoro technique is a traditional method. It uses a timer to break each time block into a 25 minutes duration and short break.

12.Two Minute Rule

The “2 Minute Rule ” is a way to stop procrastination and cultivate a habit of getting things done. The basic rule in this method is to complete the task immediately. The job which takes less than 2 minutes to complete should be done without delay.

Showing up to start a task, though it is for 2 minutes, will make it easier to build a habit. It will help to create a new routine formation.

To Summarize, 

The time blocking method is a time management tool.

You will ace this art and increase your productivity to be successful.