Time blocking is finally a productivity technique that seems to be sticking with me for the long-run!!

If you can sense my feeling of exasperated relief, you are spot on. Over the years I've tried so many different time-saving tips, apps, worksheets, planners, etc. And nothing really seemed to ever find my sweet spot.

Until I learned about time blocking. Time blocking is where you set a specific allotment of time to do a specific task or set of tasks. Generally, why it works is because it debunks the myth of multi-tasking. It is simply a more efficient, and I would argue, less stressful, method of productivity.

One of the reasons that time blocking works so well for my lifestyle is because of the challenge of my life (and schedule) being inherently unpredictable. And I'm not necessarily saying that is a bad thing. I love being a creative entrepreneur because for the most part I get to control my schedule. I don't have a specific 9-5 routine. Yay! The downside to that of course is, that there is no set routine. Throw in the fact that my daily health status can vary drastically because of my disability, as can my husbands, the tasks of each day can get sidelined quickly, thus putting my to-dos and goals further and further behind.

Flexibility Is Key Benefit to Time Blocking

This is where the freedom and flexibility of time blocking really becomes it's own magic. I don't have to schedule out a whole day of to-dos, but rather, just one hour to, for example, work on a blog post. Or two hours to put away laundry.

Picking tasks based on how much energy I have that day (or other external factors), and then limiting their focus to a set time allotment of my day, provides a type of pressure-release-valve. This happens because it is the parameter of time that is providing the determination of how much I get done, and thus the burden isn't just on me.

Sure, would I love to know that I'm going to get everything done within my allotted time? Of course. But is that realistic? No, it's not. But that is why there is tomorrow. Do what you can today, and let that be enough.

A Specific Example of Applying Time Blocking

Here is one very specific example where time-blocking has really been helpful in my life. Having a tidy home is very important to me. I like when things are put away and they are organized and easy to find. But maintaining this priority takes consistent effort. Several months ago I realized that I have the most energy in the morning, and less in the afternoon. So to play to that strength (rather than fight against it) I do all my house chores the first two hours of my day. Cleaning up from the night before, doing dishes, working on a house project, whatever it is. For two hours that gets my full focus, and that's it. When the two hours is up, I put the house on pause and go to work in the office.

Most days I get everything I need to in those two hours. But some days I don't. And that is okay. I'm at peace knowing that whatever didn't get done can patiently wait until tomorrow.

If you haven't tried time blocking I really encourage you to give it a try. Some people rave about the Pomodoro Method. And I've tried that as well. Why I prefer the concept of simple time-blocking over the Pomodoro Method is because it is more macro. Look at all your time and all your tasks and see if you can find a combination that helps you be more productive, get more accomplished, and perhaps more important, feeling really awesome and accomplished.