I block work time based on my energy. From 9am to 1pm I perform really deep work such as coding. After lunch from 2-5pm I slowly lose focus. Decision fatigue is a real thing! The earlier part of this block is for project management and research. 4-5pm is reserved for the really easy and automated stuff. Responding to email, updating my git repository, running backups.
It's strange how I could actually visualize what your Weekly Block Plan looks like based on your description ;) I'm looking to include home life and weekends in this block plan and make sure I'm planning meals, exercise, entertainment, and "me" time. My life cant possibly be about only my job, can it?
This video gave me the idea of time-blocking my routines and meals. I've always struggled to follow a calendar of plans. But I realized I can start small like this and build up more blocks of goals, etc.
I was really inspired by one of your previous videos on time blocking, but I tried to do it "backwards": I am one of those people who really can't plan my time in any detail at all. Therefore, I did a trial run where I logged my time during two full weeks, sketching everything I did during the whole day and put it into different colour-coded categories. Of course, logging everything is not viable in the long run, but it was really good to do it for a limited period to get a sense of what I actually do with all my time. For the last couple of weeks I have started time logging again, but now I only log the time I spend on my studies (I'm a full time student). It is very illuminating, because after a while I can se patterns: how much I can continue to work on a day that I have had a long zoom seminar, if I take long (1-2 hour) pauses, how much I work when the kids are at home (much more than I thought I did!) etcetera. I hope that this logging eventually can help me to actually plan my time: for now, I don't know when during the week /for how long time I can do focused and effective work, but the logging shows all these things very clearly. It has been a true game changer! And as I said, it is kind of the time blocking concept but done in reverse... If that makes sense.
You're a productivity ninja ⚔️, I can tell... since you start your day doing the deep creative work! 🧑🎨 When I time block, I use a physical timer ⏱️ to keep me focused and alert (just like the Time Timer in your thumbnail graphic)!!! 💥💥💥
I love and use time blocking for all the benefits mentioned by Matt. One challenge I have is that I am not always in the right physical or mental state for doing what I blocked for myself because of other events set for me which have drained me more than i thought of my energy. Like a difficult meeting and then I have no brain wave for being creative on my own project, or simply a bad night and headache and I cannot do the workout I had set out to do. Any good tips to address these issues? Of course it’s still worth doing even if not 100% but sometimes it makes me feel bad not to have « respected » my own time blocks. Thanks
My experience. I have tried this so often and ended up frustrated. This works great for people who work from home and have like a five-minute commute. This is impractical for many people. It's a cool concept through
@@MattRagland That is a good idea, but still hard to maintain with a changing schedule. Working from home now 3 days a week I have to work between 9-5 and my tasks change weekly. I'm also disabled so even if I schedule an exercise block my back and body might have better ideas.
@matt actually I cannot do too many thing in a small block time. I applied your method and at the end of the day most of the tasks are undone. But when i stack task and habit one after another 99% are covered. Thats the reason I altered my way
@adrina i just jot down what i will do tomorrow listing in 1,2,3 fashion. Than i make block and think will i do number one task first or the 11th task and put the number in the block accordingly.
This feels unrealistic for someone whose time is not their own. I don't choose when my classes or meetings happen, and I am never seemingly able to stick to the schedule that I time-blocked for myself.
Hey Dana, can see that being the case. I started using it while working a normal 40-50 hour/week job as a way to track if I was spending the right amount of time on different projects and responsibilities. The number of meetings was a big thing actually, was able to show my manager that half my week was spent in meetings, leaving less time for the projects I was assigned to. Hope that helps and know you can change the number and duration of blocks you assign or track based on what is best for your schedule. Have a great day!
Love all this, except your order is off: family, exercise, work, everything else. Fam, self, employer. Your employer doesn’t care about you, don’t put them first.
you also need to ask yourself: "how is it that you have this nice clean 8 hour block for work WITH TWO YOUNG CHILDREN?" because this means you have a second person invisibly lifting weight so you can do this nice pretty blocking out. Maybe your wife/partner or maybe you pay someone else but either way.
After 5 minutes, I still don't get what value you are adding to the subject of time blocking. Thanks for posting, but no thanks for wasting 5 mins of my time.
![10 Blocks of Time to Plan Your Week [Minimalist Bullet Journal Layout]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/zwf1v6v9LHU/mqdefault.jpg)
![10 Blocks of Time to Plan Your Week [Minimalist Bullet Journal Layout]](/img/tr.png)
![Lethal Company Music Video 🎵 "Follow The Orders" [VERSION A]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/QeooZB4Z7RA/mqdefault.jpg)
I block work time based on my energy. From 9am to 1pm I perform really deep work such as coding.
After lunch from 2-5pm I slowly lose focus. Decision fatigue is a real thing! The earlier part of this block is for project management and research. 4-5pm is reserved for the really easy and automated stuff. Responding to email, updating my git repository, running backups.
Perfect application Joseph! Thanks for sharing!
It's strange how I could actually visualize what your Weekly Block Plan looks like based on your description ;) I'm looking to include home life and weekends in this block plan and make sure I'm planning meals, exercise, entertainment, and "me" time. My life cant possibly be about only my job, can it?
This video gave me the idea of time-blocking my routines and meals. I've always struggled to follow a calendar of plans. But I realized I can start small like this and build up more blocks of goals, etc.
Exactly! Great point on starting small Becca :)
I was really inspired by one of your previous videos on time blocking, but I tried to do it "backwards": I am one of those people who really can't plan my time in any detail at all. Therefore, I did a trial run where I logged my time during two full weeks, sketching everything I did during the whole day and put it into different colour-coded categories. Of course, logging everything is not viable in the long run, but it was really good to do it for a limited period to get a sense of what I actually do with all my time. For the last couple of weeks I have started time logging again, but now I only log the time I spend on my studies (I'm a full time student). It is very illuminating, because after a while I can se patterns: how much I can continue to work on a day that I have had a long zoom seminar, if I take long (1-2 hour) pauses, how much I work when the kids are at home (much more than I thought I did!) etcetera. I hope that this logging eventually can help me to actually plan my time: for now, I don't know when during the week /for how long time I can do focused and effective work, but the logging shows all these things very clearly. It has been a true game changer! And as I said, it is kind of the time blocking concept but done in reverse... If that makes sense.
You're a productivity ninja ⚔️, I can tell... since you start your day doing the deep creative work! 🧑🎨 When I time block, I use a physical timer ⏱️ to keep me focused and alert (just like the Time Timer in your thumbnail graphic)!!! 💥💥💥
Love this! Had an idea to also use physical colored blocks or beads to count my pomodoro sessions and todolists! Please also make a bookshelf tour!
I'll do one next month Kine!
I love and use time blocking for all the benefits mentioned by Matt. One challenge I have is that I am not always in the right physical or mental state for doing what I blocked for myself because of other events set for me which have drained me more than i thought of my energy. Like a difficult meeting and then I have no brain wave for being creative on my own project, or simply a bad night and headache and I cannot do the workout I had set out to do. Any good tips to address these issues? Of course it’s still worth doing even if not 100% but sometimes it makes me feel bad not to have « respected » my own time blocks. Thanks
This is not relevant but the blocks reminded me of the kinds I used in my Montessori elementary school I went to
This could be super useful
Great idea I'm going to try this in October. By the way what books do you have on your shelf?
Bookshelf tour coming soon!
I've tried time blocking but I often find that life doesn't go according to the schedule.
Even in small blocks? For example "I'm blocking out one hour this week to focus on X"?
My experience. I have tried this so often and ended up frustrated. This works great for people who work from home and have like a five-minute commute. This is impractical for many people. It's a cool concept through
@@MattRagland That is a good idea, but still hard to maintain with a changing schedule. Working from home now 3 days a week I have to work between 9-5 and my tasks change weekly. I'm also disabled so even if I schedule an exercise block my back and body might have better ideas.
@@DebbieDavidson06 how is it impractical at an office? Curious your experience :)
@@samanthagarner2926 thanks for sharing!
Yep. Could help me a lot 👍
Have you read Gary Keller and Jay Papasan’s book, “The One Thing?” They are big time-blocking advocates, too. 🙂
I have! Great book 📖
I spotted that "Never Stop Learning" cup ;)
Great cup, one of my faves
I use habit stacking block
Time blocking is impossible for me to maintain
How you do It?
Even in small blocks of time?
@matt actually I cannot do too many thing in a small block time. I applied your method and at the end of the day most of the tasks are undone. But when i stack task and habit one after another 99% are covered. Thats the reason I altered my way
@adrina i just jot down what i will do tomorrow listing in 1,2,3 fashion. Than i make block and think will i do number one task first or the 11th task and put the number in the block accordingly.
@@glitchlover260 way to make it work for you :)
This feels unrealistic for someone whose time is not their own. I don't choose when my classes or meetings happen, and I am never seemingly able to stick to the schedule that I time-blocked for myself.
Hey Dana, can see that being the case. I started using it while working a normal 40-50 hour/week job as a way to track if I was spending the right amount of time on different projects and responsibilities. The number of meetings was a big thing actually, was able to show my manager that half my week was spent in meetings, leaving less time for the projects I was assigned to. Hope that helps and know you can change the number and duration of blocks you assign or track based on what is best for your schedule. Have a great day!
I’d like to see a time block of a full time working mom who is also doing virtual learning and homeschooling.
Love all this, except your order is off: family, exercise, work, everything else. Fam, self, employer. Your employer doesn’t care about you, don’t put them first.
You've already lost me at that whole exercise from 5-6, I just feel like I'm behind already and a lazy blob to boot. Cute blocks tho.
you also need to ask yourself: "how is it that you have this nice clean 8 hour block for work WITH TWO YOUNG CHILDREN?" because this means you have a second person invisibly lifting weight so you can do this nice pretty blocking out. Maybe your wife/partner or maybe you pay someone else but either way.
This is not a minimalistic approach, you should have your notes carved in stone instead of using Macbook.
After 5 minutes, I still don't get what value you are adding to the subject of time blocking. Thanks for posting, but no thanks for wasting 5 mins of my time.