What Is Time Blocking and How Can It Help Your Mental Health?
In this blog post I'm going to talk about time management and will discuss a concept that is called block scheduling. Many of you have become familiar with this concept in high school. You probably recall getting a schedule of a certain number of classes that were all blocked together and according to class time. You can also call this practice "time blocking". What happens is you basically dedicate a large chunk of your time to certain tasks instead of doing the same task at different times throughout the day. For example, you might dedicate 9-11 am to answering emails and 11-3 pm to creating a proposal for your new or existing client and so on.
Block scheduling can help you ease stress and eliminate anxiety. This article is for males and females, but I will speak from personal experience and as a female. I think females are known to multitask and be good at it. It’s how our brains are designed. But is that really serving us? I'm not too certain how many of us are questioning our ways of doing things and are actually trying to become more efficient and effective. I think most of us just sort of wing it without much thought and end up stressed and a lot less efficient as a result. That’s why block scheduling might take a little thinking and planning on your end, but it’s a gift that will keep on giving at the end.
In this blog post we will explore the different ways that utilizing block scheduling in your life will help you. From stress relief to a much better quality of work to better flow and more focus. To more time that you will now have from working more efficiently. To piece of mind without having to constantly think of a million things to complete.
Time Blocking Reliefs Stress and Anxiety
Time blocking is the perfect way to relieve stress and anxiety because it allows you to concentrate and complete one task at a time. When we have a lot to do and are trying to multitask, our brain gets overloaded with various information and that stresses us out. We get scatter-brained and aren't fully in the zone. Having to think of too many unfinished tasks to do later on also stresses us out. We feel like we have mountains to finish and not enough time or energy to complete it all. Even the idea that we have too many tasks waiting for us is enough to make us restless and anxious all day or until the work is complete.
That's why splitting our tasks and leaving each for a different day of the week and dedicating longer periods of time to a single task is the way to go. A single task seems much more manageable and doesn't seem as threatening, and this calms us down and makes us less anxious. We also don't have to spend our mental energy switching from task to task.
Some of us are also stressed and anxious because of unpredictability, and block scheduling removes this. Your work-load becomes predictable and you know exactly when and on which day you will need to complete a certain task. This helps relieve stress and eliminate anxiety.
Block scheduling helps you manage your time better and makes you more focused and less prone to ADHD.
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Time Blocking Helps Us Create Better Work Quality
When we are focused on a single task at a time, our flow isn't interrupted by multitasking. And when our flow is consistent and we are focused, we pay more attention to small details and mistakes. Some of the best work was created in that perfect state of flow. From the works of Leonardo da Vinci to Einstein's mathematical theory of relativity. I know just from myself that as a writer if I constantly get interrupted by phone calls or by my precious toddler, then my work suffers and I don't write as well.
Focusing on a single task improves focus, work-quality, and performance.
Block Scheduling Provides Us With More Time to Do What We Want to Do
When our schedule is more organized and we are more efficient in our work, then we finally have some downtime. Without the planning and efficiency that comes with block scheduling, there is chaos and unpredictability. More mistakes occur and more often, and work needs to be re-done again. We get more tired from multitasking all day so our energy is completely gone when everything is completed. On the other hand, using block scheduling frees us from constantly switching mental gears and leaves more energy for leisure.
When we are in the flow, our work is better so we don't have to re-do anything. Also, in the state of flow there are less interruptions and more focus, and that means that we can finish our work faster. More energy and better job quality, where do I sign-up?!
With block scheduling we can create other plans around our planned activity as we know exactly when it needs to be completed. For even more time management tips go here: 6 Genius Ways to Manage Your Time and check out some of our FREE Courses that will have you saying WOOHHOO…..;)
In Conclusion
In conclusion, block scheduling is when you basically dedicate a large chunk of your time to certain tasks instead of doing the same task at different times throughout the day. Each task can be done on a different day of the week. The benefits of block scheduling are astonishing; from less stress and anxiety that comes from unpredictability and multi-tasking to more energy and more time to spend with your family and loved ones. To better work quality and efficiency in getting your work done.
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-Weekly Time Chunking Tracker Explained
-Weekly Time Chunking Tracker
-Time Blocking Example
-Time Blocking - Mon, Tues, Wed.
-Time Blocking - Thurs, Fri, Sat, Sun.
-Prioritizing My Day
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How Can You Get Started On Utilizing Block Scheduling?
Assess your schedule and make sure that you know how much time you will need for the activities that you generally do. If you don't know then try to keep track for about a week so you have a better idea.
Then group your tasks into different categories.
And finally arrange your time blocks. Ultimately, the goal is to avoid switching mental gears throughout the day, week, or even a month. Experiment and try what works for you. Maybe schedule an activity that you don't enjoy and work on it the entire day of any given week so you have the rest of your week to do the things that you like doing.
General Time Management Tips -
Track daily activities using an app and find out where you are wasting your time.
Create time management goals and stick to them. For example, tell yourself that you will only use social media between certain times.
Implement a time management plan. The objective is to change your behavior over time to achieve whatever goal you set out to achieve. This could be less stress or lower anxiety. Set specific goals, but also don't forget to track them to see if you're doing what you need to be doing.
Prioritize your tasks.
Learn to assign other people tasks or outsource. This will leave room for more time and less stress.
Establish routines and follow through. Knowing what you need to do and what is coming takes the stress and anxiety away and makes things more predictable and easier to handle.
Get into the habit of dividing your tasks into blocks instead of doing a single task at different times throughout the day. This will allow you to focus better and give you an opportunity to feel accomplished and like you are actually getting work and projects finished. This will raise your confidence and lower stress.
Organize everything. The more everything is sorted and organized, the less stress you will experience looking for something when you need it.
Don't waste time waiting. Instead, use that time to get done what you need to get done. Bring your tablet with you or have your work there in case you need it. Technology makes it easier than ever to work whenever you are.
Find your deep focus zone or the time when you feel the most in the zone to get stuff done. That time could be morning for some and evening for others. People are different, so you've got to find what works for you. Experiment and take notes and then work when you are the most in the zone.
Write things down. When we write things down, we can go back to things instead of worrying later on that we forgot something. Writing things down helps us feel and be more organized and takes the stress away from remembering everything. You will find things quicker instead of wasting time looking for them.
Learn to say "no". Remember that life is all about balance and that includes your work. By saying "no" to overextension, you prevent burnout, anxiety, and stress.
Take breaks and rest. Good time management means working responsibly and being rational. We need breaks to recharge and refresh and to allow our brain to process and then clear its storage room from all of that information.