How to ADD more time to your day
“OK, I can’t WAIT to hear THIS one.” Is that what you’re thinking? Well, relax. I might be able to help you lose that sticky weight without giving up pizza, and make money in your sleep from your Iphone, but I am not claiming to be some kind of superhero that can magically slow down the earth’s rotation around the sun. I’m not THAT awesome, but what I AM is a recovering walking-talking- organizational-disaster that finally got her $*%& together not too long ago with something called T-I-M-E B-L-O-C-K-I-N-G, and it has been so life changing for me that I decided to make it the focus of my first blog post.
What is it and why is it beneficial.
Time blocking is the practice of scheduling every aspect of your day, and I mean EVERY ASPECT OF YOUR DAY (even showering) into designated chunks of time. By planning it in advance, and being laser focused on that task for the designated time block, you will avoid multi-tasking and distractions that slow down your day. By planning out your day you will soon realize just how much time you waste on insignificant tasks that take time away to focus on the important ones, or the ones you “don’t have time for.” Guess what, guys? You DO have time. You just didn’t time block it. By setting aside time for EVERYTHING that needs to get done in advance we lose the excuses, boost productivity, and stress less. Trust me.
Who Should Time Block…
Anyone who wants to have a happier, more fulfilled life with more time to do the things that are important to them, so I guess that means EVERYONE? Personally, I don’t know anyone that isn’t “too busy” these days. Notice the quotes there? “Too busy” is a cop out (in my opinion.) Instead of saying you’re “too busy,” how ‘bout you try saying “it isn’t a priority” and see how that feels.
Time blocking your days will allow you to schedule the “must do’s” FIRST to ensure you are not “too busy” to accomplish them. Stay-at-home moms who think they are “too busy” to meditate, exercise, eat, shower etc should time block. CEO’s, entrepreneurs, and everyone else who hustles hard with work who are “too busy” to sit down for dinner with their family every night should time block. College students who stay up until 2 AM cramming for a test on Monday night because they were “too busy” to study over the weekend should time block. See where I’m going with this?
How to time block…
What you will need-
Planner– First, you must choose what kind of calendar to use to block your life. I prefer to write things down in an actual planner (soon I will blog about the benefits of writing down goals,) but I also own online businesses where clients/team members all around the world book times with me using my virtual scheduler. Woah, this was a VIRTUAL $@%*show for a while, until (you guessed it,) I TIME BLOCKED some time each evening to organize both schedules into my planner to avoid conflicts. #timeblockingforthewinagain
When choosing a planner there are a few things to keep in mind.
1. Size matters– you will be taking this thing with you everywhere so choose one small enough to carry around, but not so small where space is limited.
2. Time increments– I like to plan ahead and time block, not only my day and week, but my upcoming month and even year. Remember a goal without a plan is simply a pipe-dream, so write it DOWN and plan it! Look for planners with days broken down into 15-30 minute increments. 15 is ideal, but if space is big enough 30 minute blocks work.
3. What else does it do? I like my planner to have plenty of space for note taking, journaling, goal-setting for the day, week, month, year etc. Remember I’m also a half-a-hippie so I’m big into manifesting, affirmations and all that new age stuff that works so I love the Law of Attraction Planner and recommend it to everyone!
Highlighters-
If using a manual planner, you will want to purchase at least four different color highlighters to help you color-block your week. Choose a color for each category (ex pink=family time, green=work, yellow=personal time, blue=side hustle.) This way you can see how balanced your week is at a glance. Are you working too hard and not spending enough time with your family? Time blocking will warn you before that happens.
Time Block How To
Once you have your planner you must first start by TIME BLOCKING some time to time block. OMG. I’m starting to annoy myself now too, but seriously, set aside some time to sit down with your planner of choice, and plan your week. I do my time blocking on Sunday and coach my team to do the same. Sundays are usually a family/me day which allows me time to organize my week ahead. You will find that this starts your week off on the right foot.
Step 1. Prioritize In order to know what must be done this week, you must have a plan. What are you trying to accomplish? What are you trying to make more time for? Are you trying to improve your health? If so, then your priority should be exercise and time to cook healthy meals. Are you are trying to grow your side-business, but are “too busy” after your long day at work then you will want to make sure that you put “work on side hustle” at the top of the list. What MUST you accomplish this week to get to your monthly, yearly, LIFE goals? Time-blocking gives you back control, and takes away ALL excuses, but only if you are honest with yourself about what needs to be done.
List the “must do’s” in order of importance (ex wake-up, shower, work hours, family time, dinner, exercise, meditate, call a friend who’s going through a rough time etc.)
Oh wait, are you “too busy” to do some of these things? NOT ANYMORE! If you create the urgency by writing (typing) it into your week as a “must do” you WILL get it done.
Step 2. Input these must-do’s into your week and designate each task with the time it takes to do it (this is where 15 minute increment planners come in handy.) Remember, the priorities go into the calendar FIRST!
Now, go down your list until all of your tasks are time blocked.
Tip: Be strategic with WHEN you are time blocking certain activities. What time of day are you most productive? Energetic etc? Plan tasks accordingly. For example, If you’re brain stops functioning after lunch, plan tasks that require the most brain power for the morning.
Get Specific– For optimal productivity list specific activities inside each time block. For example: instead of writing “work-out” each day, save time by planning exactly what you’re going to do when you get to the gym (i.e. Monday-weight train legs, Tuesday-spin class, Wednesday-weight train upper body, Thursday-yoga, Friday-core.)
Step 3. Plan for the unknown– Let there be “un-planned” time in your day for work, play, self etc. This can be your “wild-card” time to handle any things that “come up.” Soon, you will find that you have MORE free time than you thought which might allow for MORE productivity, or rest (both are important!)
Step 4. Color-code– Use your highlighters to color-code your week, look to see where you are not balanced, and make the necessary adjustments.
Viola, your week is set, and miraculously you have time for all of it! (Maybe I AM a superhero!) All jokes aside. Time-blocking takes PRACTICE and things will come up to upset the balance of your perfectly color-coded week. As always, give yourself some grace. As you get better, you will start to see your productivity improve in every aspect of your life. Imagine how much more peaceful your sleep will be knowing that you have PLENTY of time to do everything you have to do tomorrow.