What's Time Blocking and How Do I Do It?

The Key to Maximizing Your Productivity and Mental Well-Being

In today’s fast-paced world, time management has become more important than ever. With the constant demands of work, social media, and personal commitments, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and stressed out. This is where time blocking comes in — a productivity technique that is gaining popularity in social media.

I am pretty sure I would have been diagnosed with ADHD and given medication as a child if I were born in this generation, so time blocking has become crucial for me with staying in my lane and focused on one thing. I would start one thing and then 15 minutes later be working on a completely unrelated thing. It is not that I was not productive, but often I would feel like I did not accomplish something since I did not put all of my attention on the initial task I set out to. So, in the next few minutes we will discuss what time blocking is, how it can improve your productivity and mental well-being, and a few key areas that it focuses on.

Time Blocking 101

Time blocking is the process of setting a specific amount of time for a particular task or routine and sticking to it for the duration of that block. A simple example could be planning an at home workout from 7:00–7:45AM. To do that, you would set it up in your calendar for the day and time that you plan on doing it and starting a timer when you begin your new block. This will keep you accountable to start it since your calendar will remind you when your new block is about to start and the timer helps keep you accountable while you are doing it. Once your block has been completed, you take a short break, respond to various life responsibilities, and then start your next time block for whatever new objective you have for the day.

Time Blocking Helps You Plan Your Day

“Time blocking allows you to gain clarity by breaking down your day into manageable chunks and prioritizing what’s important.”-Lisanne Murphy

When you begin scheduling your day in advance and dedicating specific time slots to various tasks, you’ll have a clear idea of what you need to accomplish and in what order. This can reduce decision fatigue and increase your focus and productivity. As sit on you set that timer for the task that you set out for, it is easier to keep yourself accountable with the time you have set aside.

Time Blocking Reduces Procrastination

“Procrastination is often a result of feeling overwhelmed. Time blocking can help by breaking down tasks into smaller, more manageable chunks.”-John Rampton

By dedicating a specific time to work on a particular task, you’ll be less likely to put it off, and you’ll feel a sense of accomplishment as you complete each block. Instead of feeling like you have to complete an entire project in one sitting, determining that you will spend 1 hour on a task and then working on that during the block that you set aside, you will feel a sense of accomplishment on a project that may take days or weeks to complete.

Time Blocking Helps You Prioritize Self-Care

“Self-care is crucial for maintaining your mental and emotional well-being. By time blocking self-care activities, you’re making it a priority and ensuring that you’re taking care of yourself.”-Dr. Rachel O’Neill

Whether it’s exercise, meditation, or spending time with loved ones, scheduling these activities into your day will help you avoid burnout and maintain a healthy work-life balance. Many people automatically assume time-blocking is just for business purposes, but by setting time aside for “self-care” activities, it will help you enjoy the things that life offers while not feeling guilty for doing it.

Time Blocking Increases Focus and Concentration

“Time blocking can help you stay focused by eliminating distractions and giving you a specific goal to work towards. When you’re working on one task at a time, you’re less likely to get sidetracked by notifications or other interruptions.”-James Clear

By setting aside specific time blocks for work and minimizing distractions, you’ll be able to increase your focus and concentration and accomplish more in less time. I wrote this article by time-blocking. I designate a specific day to write articles and then plan in advance what time of day and how long I plan on writing. This way if I finish an article with time to spare, it gives me the space and focus to continue working on future content. Another perspective is that in the event it was a topic or area that took longer to write about, I would at least feel more accomplished knowing I worked towards my specific task during the time-block.

Time Blocking Provides a Sense of Accomplishment

“Time blocking can increase your sense of accomplishment and boost your self-esteem. By completing each task on your list, you’ll feel a sense of progress and satisfaction.”-Laura Vanderkam

By breaking down your day into specific time blocks and checking off tasks as you complete them, you’ll be able to track your progress and feel a sense of accomplishment at the end of the day. There were countless days I felt like I was busy, but would look back and wonder what it was that I had completed or accomplished. This process not only helps you schedule your day, but it creates a time-stamp of things you worked on. I want to preface that this structure is something I am still working on refining and fine-tuning, but the more I do it, the more accomplished and confident I seem to become.

With all of that being said, time blocking is a powerful productivity technique that can help you take control of your day and accomplish more in less time. By breaking down your day into manageable chunks, prioritizing self-care, and minimizing distractions, you can increase your focus, reduce procrastination, and improve your mental well-being. Because we all know most of us struggle with each of those areas. At least I know that I do! So, if you are feeling overwhelmed and stressed out, give time blocking a try. You might be surprised at how much it can improve your productivity and overall quality of life. Just be sure to be patient with structuring the blocks out. Also, do your best to block out windows that you know have the least likelihood of being torn by multiple demands or distractions. The reality is that your entire day can’t be completely time-blocked, so be patient with yourself as you navigate this new arena!