This tip covers a few different ways to use Time Blocking.
The first way I like to use Time Blocking is to schedule my tasks on my calendar in the order I want to do them and with how much time they should take. That way a reminder will pop up to tell me I have 15 minutes left before I’m supposed to start the next task. This gives me the opportunity to make a choice. I can wrap it up and finish it, I can brain dump any other ideas I have so I can easily continue it when I schedule time to come back to it, or if I’m really in the flow I can see if I can defer what’s next on the schedule so that I can keep that inspiration flowing and get it knocked out.
The second way I like to use time blocking is to approach a task that is really important to get done but that I really don’t want to do. Maybe I’ll block 15 or 30 minutes for the task and I’ll tell myself that I don’t need to spend any more time than that. Well, I can do just about anything for 15 minutes, so now that I know I get a break in 15 minutes, it seems a lot easier to get started. Then when the 15 minutes is up, I can check in with myself. Am I relieved that the 15 minutes is up and am I ready to move on to something else, or are things flowing a little and do I want to spend 15 more minutes on it?
Another aspect of time blocking to consider is the ordering of the time blocks. For most people, it is easier to begin with a task that comes easier to them. That doesn’t mean it’s an easy task, it means it’s something that you personally find easier to get into. Try to time block tasks that help you get in the flow and get productive before you schedule a block for a task that’s harder for you. It will do a few things – it will warm you up on something you prefer, it will get those creative juices flowing, and it will be easier to tackle something you perceive to be harder when you’ve just had some success in something that you perceive to be easier.
You can use the same approach when you find yourself getting blocked up in a task and find that things are no longer flowing. Try giving your mind a break and switching to a task that you find easier to get into instead of trying to force it. You’ll get more done and you just might find that doing something else for a while actually inspires a new thought to get you back into the task that you were having trouble with.
You can also use time blocking based on what you can conceivably get done in the time slot available. If you have 15 minutes before a meeting and it’s not enough time to start a project that you’ll just be getting into when you have to go to your meeting. But that’s a great time block to use to check in on your to-do list, adjust what you need to, watch my latest video, or subscribe to my website.
Try that one on for size and I’ll be back tomorrow with another tip.
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