Time Management Tips: Time Blocking

One of the best time management tips that I can give to any entrepreneur (or even to any human really) is time blocking. What that means is setting aside a specific and concentrated amount of time to get a specific task done. We are so focused on multi-tasking these days, that we do not realize how effective single-tasking can truly be. Giving your full attention to one task, not only more often than not, gets it done sooner, but typically this will often mean you do a better job at it.

For me, this starts first thing in the morning. If you have ever read the book – The Miracle Morning, you will learn that starting your day an hour earlier, can actually be an incredible way to build more time into your day. I know this sounds a bit ridiculous, of course this builds extra time into your day, you have gotten up earlier. But, not only do you have an extra hour – it is often an hour where the house is quiet, distractions are at a minimum and you can truly focus. I often get more done in this hour, than I do in a 2-3 hour period in the middle of the day. If you are not a morning person, you could also set aside this time in the evening. But the key is to cut out the clutter during this time period.

My best tips for Time Blocking:

• Actually map out these chunks of time on your daily calendar – whether your calendar is electronic or paper, you can block out specific periods of time. Personally I sit down every Sunday to map out my week. I check in with my husband to make sure that we coordinate everything and I even plan out what I will make for dinner each evening. And then each morning, I start off by time blocking my entire day, and chunking off periods of time for specific activities. The simple act of planning ahead, actually creates more room to get things done.
• Block out the clutter during these periods of time – close down social media (unless this is what you are working on,) make sure you have a quiet space and really focus in on what you want to get done.
• Have a list of things you would like to get done during this time – personally I keep a running list on my phone (because my phone is always near me when ideas pop into my head,) of things that I need to get done. When I sit down at my desk, I pull out this list and I put it onto my daily agenda and then I work away at it in terms of priority.
• Choose a time when your brain is at it’s optimal – I know that for me, my brain works best in the mornings. By late afternoon it is completely exhausted and can barely form sentences. So I get up early, and I get things done.
• Business Tip – if you are working on a big goal, set aside more time – for those that are working part-time side hustles, next to full-time gigs, you have a lot on your plate. Time blocking is going to save your sanity. And you can often work your business in a 1 hour period of time, each day. But when you are working towards a bigger goal, set aside more time. This is the difference between simply working and working with intention. And trust me, it will make all the difference.

Time blocking will often give you a huge sense of accomplishment. Because you have used that time to do focused work, you will actually walk away from that hour having gotten things done. Rather than living in the fog of trying to juggle too many things at one time, which is something that women are often guilty of, you will now be ticking things off your to-do list, every single day. Try it out for one week, and see if it makes a difference in both your life and in your business.

Trust me, it will.

Want my free Power Hour Checklist template? You can scoop it HERE.