Time Blocking Your Way to a Balanced Life
Do you have a to-do list that is never complete? How about 101 things going through your mind day and night? Feel like you never get sufficient ‘me time’?
Yes? Me too!
As women, many of us feel the constant pressure to do it all. Have successful careers, be the CEOs of our home, organize events, put a meal on the table every day….. and these are just the basics.
We can all agree that the list just keeps going on and on and on.
Well, do you know what has helped me start single-tasking and being extremely productive at the same time?
TIME BLOCKING!
The first time I tried time blocking I set the timer in my kitchen for 30 minutes. It was a little test to see how much I could tidy up on the main floor of my house before the timer went off.
The time went by WAY too fast, but the funny thing was I had fun doing it (and I do NOT like cleaning – but I am competitive)!
I raced around and cleaned all the dishes, tidied the kitchen island (which is an ever-growing mass of stuff that people throw there when they come into the house). I cleaned the mirror and sink in the main floor bathroom and actually took the garbage out.
I was impressed with myself!!
Time block parts of your day, especially when something on the to-do list is stressing you out. #timeblocking #organization Click To TweetI recently surveyed some of my readers
The #1 thing that people find most difficult in their lives is: they are ALWAYS EXHAUSTED.
We are all running around like chickens with our heads cut off and are getting a little too close to burnout.
Not good, my friend.
Self-care is something we all need in our lives, but once we are rejuvenated we need a plan and the simple task of time blocking could truly help you get a little order back into your day.
Self-care is something we need in our lives, but once we are rejuvenated we need a plan & the simple task of time blocking could truly help you get a little order back into your day. #timeblock #organization #peoductivity Click To TweetTime blocking can be a huge help for different tasks throughout your day, such as:
- Cleaning out the fridge
- Making dinner
- Vacuuming
- Doing laundry
- Dusting
- Tidying a specific room
- Cutting the grass
- Organizing paper clutter
Related: How To Be More Productive at Home: 7 Tips for Busy Moms
I also use time blocking for some of my blogging tasks, such as brainstorming new ideas and writing new blog posts.
Oh and by the way, time blocking isn’t just for chores, it can also be used to reward yourself (remember self-care okay)?
Use Time Blocking for Self Care
Most women have no idea where they’ll find time to dedicate to self-care.
This is where time blocking can be extremely helpful (and it’s much more fun to block time for yourself than the dishes)!
Go ahead and time block something you enjoy so you know you’ll get at least 30 minutes to do something you love…
- Reading
- Gardening
- Going for a walk
- Having a bath
- Watching TV
- Working out
- Meditating
- Diffuse Essential Oils
- Having a nap
- Baking
- Listening to music
- Crafting
- Drawing
- Journaling
- Going to a café
Do you see where I’m going with this?!
Time block something just for you.
Let other people in your life/your house know that you are off-limits during this time and if you need to leave the house in order to get your personal time – do it. Your spouse and kids will survive!
Related: Self Care 101. 9 Ways To Look After YOU.
3 tips to begin Time Blocking
1. Start small
This is especially important if you have no idea where you’ll get the time.
Begin with 30 minutes and set the timer.
2. Pick a Task
Go with a chore or some self-care.
If you’re doing a chore, play some music to get you moving. I promise you’ll complete your task even faster with this! (Check out my Happy Playlist which you can listen to on Spotify).
Now, begin!
3. Take note
If you did a chore, what did you accomplish?
- Write the details down in a journal to keep track so you can be even more productive next time.
- If you did something nice for yourself, how did you feel?
- Did you let yourself truly enjoy your 30 minutes?
- Think about how you can unwind more the next time.
Time blocking is a little trick I use to get items off my list and maintain a sense of sanity in my home and my mind!
Time blocking can give you a sense of control and provides a simple form of balance in your life.
I hope this was helpful and will be a powerful tool to help when life gets crazy, i.e. all the time!!
Have you tried time blocking before?
If so, share in the comments how it’s worked for you. If you have yet to try time blocking, do it today (just 30 minutes to start) and let me know what you think.
Related Self-Care Articles:
- The Importance of Self Love + 7 Exercises to Love Yourself Today
- Morning Self Care Routine – New Ideas to Start Your Day
- 5 Easy Ways to Find Time in Your Busy Schedule
- Self Care 101. 9 Ways to Look After You
- Top Easy Ways to Organize Your Home – Tips from a Minimalist
About Yolanda
Website Owner / Content Creator
I’m passionate about helping you live life to the fullest so you can choose to find happiness and purpose. Learn how to CREATE THE LIFE YOU LOVE with intentional living and discovery of the simple things life has to offer. Learn more…
I need something like this in my life right now! I am the chicken running around with it’s head cut off. I have a million things to do, and always fall short of completing them. I would definitely do this! Thanks for this article!
Hey Heather! Thanks for the note. This little tip definitely helps out with the crazy lives so many of us have! Take care!
I agree that time blocking is super useful. Without time blocking, I get completely caught up in something, and never get around to the other important stuff I intended to do that day!
Hi Andrea, Thanks for your message 🙂 Time blocking is so simple yet it can really help move the needle on the things we want and need to do in life!
This is such a GREAT post! I’m working hard to block schedule while I work at home, and I’m going to add your tips! Thanks! To see how I block schedule, check it out here: https://modernwahm.com/homeschool-and-work-full-time/
Thanks for sharing Ginny! I love seeing how others manage their time.
Never thought about time blocking in this way, was very helpful 🙂
I love time blocking because it keeps me on track with my schedule
Time blocking makes such a difference. The motivation level increases.
I have never used it personally, but I used to use it when my son was a child. He knew that if he worked 15 minutes straight he had from 5 to 10 minutes to play. It really helped me to establish a routine for him. Now that I have read this, I am going to try it with myself. Thank you.
Hi Carla! It’s such a simple hack but works for well to keep time management on track! I love that you used it for your son (I have too). I hope you love it too!
Great post and tips for time blocking. I have tried and failed to keep up with time-log suggested by Laura Vanderkam. I used to do time blocking at work to take a break from emails. Your post inspires me to do the same at home, esp for chores and self-care.
Great post! I looove time blocking. I especially use it for blog related tasks and it’s quite surprising just how much you can get done in 30 minutes. I usually also work in Pomodors! 25 minutes, break of 5 and repeat! 🙂
When I am completely overwhelmed and know I need to change my mental focus to re-gain control of my day, I set my phone timer for 45 minutes and take a cap nap. Usually within 20 minutes, I am up and at ‘em with renewed vigor and a clearer idea of what I will focus for the remainder of my work from home day. Time blocking keeps me sane and productive. Thanks for sharing an important strategy.
Hey Yolanda! This is great! I did time blocking before and I am so glad you reminded me about doing it again! 😉
Time blocking is most helpful when I have a long to-do list and I break things up and make it a game to see fast I can get a task done in a certain period of time.
I haven’t tried it for self-care, but I will definitely incorporate time blocking self-care into the routine.
Hi Toni-Ann 🙂 Thanks for the note and I’m happy to hear that it’s reminded you to get back into it!
Best tip to start productivity journey! Time blocking! It’s good mentally as well. I convince myself that it’s a short while and something will be done and I’ll be content.
Win win win
Absolutely! It helps so so much!
Time blocking is something I must start implementing for my biz. That long to do list is not getting done , it’s time to try this now and get back to productivity!
Hey Lisa! Oh, it’s so helpful. I find I get so much more completed. Definitely give it a try!!
I’m moving into a new home next month with a beautiful little built in desk and work nook and I’m so excited for my new workspace I’ve already come up with a time blocking schedule! Lately I’ve become a morning person so I’m excited to time block my blogging tasks in the mornings before I have to leave for the day job.
Hey Stephanie – that’s super exciting! I hope the move goes well and you have fun getting into the new routine 🙂
I do this when I’ve got a lot to do it helps me to accomplish more
I love and NEED this in my life! At the end of each day, I ask myself “where the heck did time go???” Pinned to read later when I have some downtime. Thank you!
I love this! I always feel like I’m on top of things when I’m blocking out my time.
Really love this idea and I will try it out! I’m trying to pack for holiday but keep getting distracted. I’m going to set a 30 minute timer right now 🙂
Hope it helped! Sometimes all you need is 30 minutes of uninterrupted time 🙂
We kind of do this naturally in our home, because with eight kids and homeschooling you really have to schedule each day out. But I love the idea of taking it to a whole new level and applying it to cleaning and blogging and pretty much everything for MYSELF! I don’t know about applying it to self-care, though. If a timer goes off when I’m in a hot bath, I’m going to ignore it, ha, ha!
Hahaha! I agree about the hot bath! I bet you have a ton of time saving and productivity techniques with 8 kids – very impressive 🙂
This is a great idea! I do this a lot with my kids (especially when they need to clean their rooms), but never thought to do it with myself! Sometimes I just need to motivate myself to get started.
I don’t think I would ever get anything done without time blocking. I love this post.
I’ve never thought about time blocking before, but it makes so much sense. A lot of times I spend too much time doing simple things and it’d definitely be helpful to do this. I also really like the idea of time blocking fun things for yourself. I’ll have to try this out!
What a fantastic idea, I have done this with cleaning a few times, but think I need to apply it to my blogging. Like lots of new bloggers, I dont quite know wht to do first and get a bit overwhelmed with it all, especially with the promotion side of it. I am going to try this tactic this week, eg ten minutes to comment on and post Instagram posts, ten minutes on twitter, twenty minuts to make a dent in writing a post. Thanks for the inspiration
Hooray! I love time blocking; it gets me through my day. I like to block out my work day, allowing 60 minutes for this, 30 minutes for that etc. Something that I’ve discovered is to always leave a little extra time – because stuff always takes longer that I think it will.
I LOVE your reminder to use this for self care, too. I hadn’t thought of that before. What a great suggestion!
I have not intentionally tried time blocking before but now I will! Thanks!
I love the idea of time blocking for self’ care! I will definitely be doing that!! I also time myself and surprisingly I get so much done. Time blocking has really helped me get things done around the house with no added stress!
These are such great tips! I’ve tried this a few times and think it works so well, so I’ll definitely start doing it more!
I absolutely thrive on time blocking and scheduling. It’s the only way to get everything done!
I want to do this but with a puppy, my day is pretty fragmented!
I have thought about time blocking in the past, but more along the lines of blocking out my whole day before it even begins. There’s no way I can be that organized. With five kids and two businesses, something new is always being added to the to-do list. The way you’ve presented it here seems much more manageable though. I’m a little embarrassed I never thought of it.
Thanks for the heads up!
I can imagine you need to block out some time for YOU with 5 kids and 2 businesses! Give it a try. It’s great, and even better when you do it for self care 🙂
I love to time block my down time. It guarantees I get some without going overboard and being plain, ol’ unproductive!
Absolutely! It definitely helps with being mindful when you have downtime too 🙂
Oh, how I love this post! I will definitely start using time blocking for the things I enjoy too, like gardening, going for a walk, or reading.
Thanks so much Ana! SO glad to hear you will use this technique to treat yourself. So worth it 🙂
I have a few friends who are using the time blocking strategy and they swear by it. I should try it too, as yes, you are right, we have a gazillion things on our to-do list and many times just don’t get to do them…
Hey Nat! Thanks for the note. Yes, way too many items on that dreaded to do list. Time blocking definitely helps relieve the stress of that.
Oh this sounds like a perfect way to work on my spring cleaning (which is NOT a favorite of mine) lol. Thanks for the suggestions!
Ha! Spring cleaning isn’t a favourite of mine either, but I always feel amazing once it’s done!
Yolanda!!! I loooove this!!! And your enthusiasm! I am over here daily with a lil’ struggle multi-tasking….and I too have used this “blocking” idea. Altho I didn’t realize it had a name! Thanks for reinforcing my “ways!”…!!
Thanks so much! I love your enthusiasm too!! Glad to hear it works for you too. Hey, anything to help get things done!
Time blocking is also a great way to break through mental blocks. If you don’t feel motivated to do something, setting the timer and just doing something gets you into that flow state. The Pomodoro technique works the same way. You don’t have to looking yourself to that block, either! You might have just needed it to get started.
Oh, definitely! Great way to think about time blocking and I’ll have to check out the Pomodoro method too. I only know about Pomodoro tomatoes lol Thanks for the note Colleen!
This is such an important skill that I need to learn to utilize better! Thanks for the tips!!
Hi Katie! Yes, it’s actually been a life saver at times, especially when it comes to self-care.
Love this post! I’ve heard a lot about time blocking but I’ve never tried it. I definitely should, though!
Hey Tami, thanks so much! give it a try – just 30 minutes to start and see what you can accomplish. You’ll be surprised!
I love all of these little tricks and need to try it out with my blogging!
I actually think that time blocking works so well with blogging tasks – especially when you need to get creative and think of new blog posts or brainstorming. Super helpful way to commit to focusing on one thing only.
I love time blocking. I like to use it when I have a ton of tasks to get done and feel overwhelmed. It allows me to focus on one task at a time, which ultimately results in more getting done.
Hi Emily! Me too 🙂 It’s so helpful when you feel like you’re juggling too much. Glad to hear it works great for you too.