The two words to include in your vocabulary since the pandemic started.…
Time blocking: Many of us have had to change our lives around and make adjustments to our regular routines. Some of which is working from home. As DREAMY as it sounds, it has its challenges, namely all the distractions working from home can provide: Easy access to the fridge, TV , house work, projects you’ve been meaning to start/continue, etc.
Basically, ANYTHING BUT the actual work-work we’re required to do.
So in this quick video, I’m showing you how to organize your day with 3 easy steps to scheduling it using: Time Blocking.
Every day may be different, with its specific demands required of you. This simple how-to video should give you an idea of how to block out chunks of time during your day so that you can clearly see where you can plug in the necessary tasks.
Ready? Watch the video https://youtu.be/aToaFDvRRI0
Here’s the gist of Time Blocking:
- 1: Grab a piece of paper and a pen to brainstorm all things that take up your attention and time during the work day, INCLUDING work time.
- 2: Plug in the fixed items that happen in a typical day.
- 3: Plug in these fixed items in your agenda, so that you see when they occur and how much time is needed for each.
Often, seeing the blocks of time clearly laid out, gives us a sense of structure for our day. This helps us to stay focused on the work because we can see the start and end time. I DO suggest using a timer with a buzzer (or a chime so it doesn’t scare the $#@! out of you) so you know when to move on to the next block OR continue working.
Don’t forget to take a quick 5-10 minute break between blocks to keep your mind (and eyes) fresh.
Each block, essentially, represents your FOCUSED WORK time.
Before the end of the day, give yourself AT LEAST 10 minutes to close and tidy up your office space. For a quick tidy, stack your papers and notebooks in a pile or tray. Place pens and tools back in the drawer or bin. Doing this creates more white space and is a good habit to maintain. If you have kids around the house, they’re watching too! Hello role model!
If your office is around a common area, keeping it neat is less strain on the eyes (and heaviness on our brains. It’s not beneficial as you go about the busyness of your evening, now is it?
Plus, a tidy office space is a nice welcome the next day.
For me, I TRY to give myself at least 20 minutes to decompress and close the day. I take advantage of this time to be in the quiet and stillness before the chaos.
umm… I totally mean that in a good way – my kids are awesome!
Let me know how Time Blocking video works for you. If you need more specifics on how to break down your tasks and to-do list, that’ll be on another video down the road.
Got questions? I’m happy to help you out! Just contact me here