Time blocking is an excellent strategy for busy moms to make the most of their day. Yet, it can be complicated and confusing when you first start using this time management method. To help you get as much as possible done each day, here are 5 tips on time blocking.
Make A List
Time blocking does not happen spontaneously. You can’t just sit down, set a timer, and get going. You first need to know what it is that you want to be working on. So, make a list. Write down everything that you need to do for the week. Making a list helps you to get clear on what you need to do. With clarity, you can take the right action to achieve your goals.
The best way to do this is to take it day by day. Write down everything that you need to do for each day of the week.
Prioritize
When it comes to effective time blocking, it is not enough to simply have a list of everything you need to get done. That list needs to be in rank order. Once you have written down all of the activities you want to accomplish or must attend to this week, then prioritize them. Prioritizing helps you to focus your time on what matters most first. Life happens. Emergencies happen. The unexpected happens. When things come up that you don’t plan for, they take away from the time you have available to do the things that you planned for. Working on the most essential things first ensures you get those out-of-the-way before life can stop you.
Use A Time For Each Task
An essential part of effective time blocking is to set a time for each task. The idea is that you create a block of time to work on an individual task or group of activities. The trick for time blocking is to make sure you’re only working on that task during the set time. Turn off notifications on your computer, put your cell phone on silent, and just focus on the task at hand.
Here are some recommended time blocks for busy moms. In order to complete administrative tasks, block 20 to 30 minutes. For thinking tasks, block 60 to 90 minutes. Tasks that involve activities, you don’t like doing block 20 minutes. For recovery tasks, a.k.a. self-care, block as long as you need. I suggest at least 15 minutes a day and once a week, at least an hour.
Log Your Success At Keeping To The Time
As a busy mom, you want to be sure that you are not wasting your time. Tracking how you perform will help you to do this. When you first start using this time blocking idea, your estimation for how long you should set aside for each task may not be correct. You might think that you need two 20 minute time blocks each day for email responses and one 30 minute time block per day for meal prep. When it could turn out that you only need one 20 minute time block for meal prep and two 40 minute time blocks for email responses. That’s OK. The key is to track your success at completing as much as you want during each time block so that the next week, you can adjust your time blocks appropriately.
Be Consistent
When it comes to time blocking for busy moms, consistency is vital. Don’t give up. The first week is bound to be awkward. That’s OK; you’re trying something new and learning a new skill. It takes a little bit of time to get good at it, but just like with the piano, practice makes perfect. Be consistent with your time blocking. Give yourself at least three weeks of consistent time blocking to see if this is the right time management strategy for you.
Take Action
When it comes to time blocking for busy moms, the most important thing is to get started. You won’t know if it works for you until you actually try it. So take 15 minutes today to set up time blocks for tomorrow. If you could take a little longer and set time blocks for the rest of your week, excellent. If not, at least setup time blocks for tomorrow and include a block to help you plan out the rest of your week. Taking action will help you to become the woman you want to be.
For more time management ideas check out An Easy Method To Shine At Time Management.
Don’t forget to sign up for the Rose Gold Mine, my free resource library. You’ll get free printable worksheets, workbooks, and checklists to help with goal setting, time management and self-care for busy moms.
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