I used to feel like my days vanished into thin air, sucked away by distractions and a never-ending to-do list.
If that sounds familiar, you're not alone. So many of us struggle to manage our time effectively. We have big goals and important tasks but the hours just slip through our fingers. I’ve been there. For years, I battled things like gaming addiction and just plain laziness. It felt like I was constantly behind. But then I discovered time blocking. And honestly? It changed everything. It’s not about becoming a robot. It’s about being intentional with the precious time God gives us. So let’s talk about how you can make it work for you.
Know Your Big Rocks First
This is about priorities. Before you fill your calendar with tiny tasks figure out what truly matters. What are your non-negotiables? For me this includes time for prayer and spiritual reading. This practice helps keep me grounded. It also means scheduling my deep work sessions because that's when I make real progress on my goals. If you don't block out time for these "big rocks" first the pebbles and sand of everyday busyness will fill up your jar. Then there's no room for what's most important.
Be Brutally Honest About Time
We all tend to underestimate how long tasks take. I used to think I could write an article in an hour. Spoiler: I usually couldn't. Start timing yourself for common tasks. It might be a bit of a shock at first. But knowing the truth helps you create a realistic schedule instead of one that sets you up for failure. This was a huge lesson for me when I was overhauling my lifestyle. Trying to cram too much into a day whether it was work or new healthy habits just led to burnout.
Batch Similar Chores Together
Constantly switching between different types of tasks kills your focus. It’s like trying to drive in stop-and-go traffic. Instead group similar activities. For example answer all your emails in one or two dedicated blocks. Run all your errands in one go. Handle all your phone calls during a specific hour. This way your brain stays in the same mode making you much more efficient.
Schedule Your Breaks (Seriously)
This might sound counterintuitive. Aren't breaks what happen when you don't schedule things? Nope. If you don't schedule breaks you'll either forget to take them and burn out. Or you'll take unfocused unproductive breaks that stretch on forever. Block out short breaks throughout your day. A 10-15 minute walk some quiet reflection or just stepping away from your screen can do wonders for your energy and focus. Remember even God rested on the seventh day. We need rest too.
Embrace Short Bursts of Deep Work
You don't need eight straight hours of uninterrupted focus to be productive. In fact for most people that's not realistic. I found my sweet spot is 2-4 hours of deep focused work. I block this time out usually in the morning when my mind is freshest. The key is to protect this block fiercely. No notifications no distractions. Just pure focus. It's amazing what you can accomplish in a short intense burst. This was a game-changer for me especially when I was trying to build GoodExistence.com while still learning to manage my old habits.
Use a Tool That Works For You
Some people love digital calendars like Google Calendar or Outlook Calendar. Others prefer a good old-fashioned paper planner. It doesn't really matter what you use. What matters is that you use it consistently. Experiment a little. Find a tool that feels natural and helps you visualize your day and week clearly. I personally use a digital calendar because it syncs across my devices. But I know plenty of people who swear by paper.
Theme Your Days (If Possible)
This won't work for everyone's job. But if you have some flexibility theming your days can be incredibly powerful. For example:
- Mondays: Planning and meetings
- Tuesdays: Deep work/Writing
- Wednesdays: Client calls and outreach
- Thursdays: Deep work/Project development
- Fridays: Admin review and wrapping up
This helps you get into a rhythm and reduces the mental load of constantly shifting gears.
Protect Your Time Blocks
Once you've scheduled a block treat it like an important appointment. Because it is. If someone asks for your time during a scheduled block try to reschedule. Or see if it can be handled another way. This isn't about being rude. It's about respecting your own priorities. It takes practice to say "no" or "not right now". But it's essential for making time blocking work. This was hard for me at first. I didn't want to let people down. But I realized I was letting myself down by not sticking to my plan.
Review and Adjust Weekly
Your first time-blocked schedule probably won't be perfect. And that's okay. Life happens. Priorities shift. The key is to set aside a little time each week. Maybe on a Friday afternoon or Sunday evening review how your week went. What worked? What didn't? Where did you get off track? Then adjust your plan for the upcoming week. This process of reflection and refinement is crucial. It’s how we learn and grow not just in time management but in all areas of life. It’s like when I was losing weight. I had to constantly adjust my food and exercise plan based on what was working and what wasn’t.
Don’t Forget Your Soul and Body
Time blocking isn't just for work tasks. It’s for creating a life that aligns with your values. Make sure to block out time for things that nourish your soul and body. This could be:
- Prayer and spiritual study
- Exercise
- Time with family and friends
- Hobbies
- Quiet reflection
When I started my journey to a healthier lifestyle losing over 110 pounds blocking time for exercise and healthy meal prep was non-negotiable. And strengthening my Christian Orthodox faith meant consciously setting aside time for God. These things give you the energy and perspective to tackle everything else.
Time blocking isn't a magic bullet. It's a tool. And like any tool it takes practice to use it well. Don't get discouraged if you struggle at first. I certainly did. There were days I ignored my blocks completely and fell back into old patterns. But I kept at it celebrating the small wins along the way. Remember the goal isn't to be perfectly productive every second of every day. It's about being more intentional more focused and ultimately making more room for what truly matters in your life.
So what's one small block you can schedule for yourself this week? Maybe it’s 30 minutes for focused work 15 minutes for prayer or an hour for a walk. Just pick one thing and put it in your calendar. You might be surprised at what a difference it makes.
