Feeling stressed and overwhelmed by all the things?
What if I told you there’s a simple way to be more productive, ultra-effective and less stressed?
Cue… time blocking.
In the early days of running my first business, I struggled to create boundaries between work and life.
My days blended together and no matter what I did I felt like I was working all the time.
That is… until I discovered time blocking.
Instead of trying to do everything at once, I got intentional about creating blocks of time to work on specific aspects of my business or work.
And here’s the best bit. Because I plan in advance, I allocate tasks when I’m most optimal.
You see, I’m far better at analytics, meetings and strategy in the morning and better at anything creative like writing, visuals, videos and even admin in the afternoon.
So, what exactly is time blocking?
What is Time Blocking?
It’s a simple process of blocking out chunks of time in your calendar allowing you to be more focused and in turn more efficient with your time.
And here’s the best bit, time blocking creates boundaries.
And, let’s face it. We all need boundaries.
How? Interesting when you schedule your time, you’ll work to that timeframe. However without constraint, tasks invariably take longer.
What do I mean?
Have you ever taken 60 minutes to write one Instagram caption? And yet, if you give yourself 90 minutes to write three (including hashtag research and image selection and scheduling) you manage to do it all.
This is Parkinson’s Law.
Let’s take a look at the process, so you can get started:
| CALENDAR
Select your preferred calendar tool. It can be a hard copy planner, project management tool like asana or simply google calendar (this’s my preference).
| ALLOCATE FIXED TIMES
Next up, add all fixed times. For me this includes regular client coaching calls as well as kids school drop off, pick up and their activities. For you, it might be a full-time job, midday gym session or morning meditations.
| PLAN AHEAD + BE SPECIFIC
Once you’ve blocked out fixed times, you’ll have a true view of your availability. It’s now time to block out the rest of your workday. For example, 9.00–10.30 business analysis and reporting, 10.30–10.45 tea time, 10.45–11.15 IG engagement and 11.15 – 12.30 for prospect follow-up. Continue this process until you fill your calendar.
It may seem extreme to schedule every little aspect into your calendar, however this is how your time becomes more focused.
| TASKS + OUTCOMES
Within each block specify the outcome you want to achieve, along with the tasks.
For example: 👉🏼 one week of IG content scheduled
✔️ Write content for three posts
✔️ Select 3 images or create infographics
✔️ Research + create hashtag sets
✔️ All three posts uploaded into the scheduler
| COMMIT
This step is simple yet can be hard (especially in the beginning). Commit to the process for one whole week. As soon as you let things slide the whole model falls over (believe me, the outcome will outweigh the rigidity of the process).
| REVIEW
At the end of the week, review how it went and what you achieved. You may find it works best for just three days, instead of five. Or you might find it’s too darn good and you finally have your life back. If so employ this method across the full work week. Your business, your terms!
If you haven’t tried time blocking – are you going to give it a go?