I hear it so often: “I don’t have enough time in the day to get it all done!” Well guess what – it is not possible to “get it all done.” Your life is fluid – you will continue to have new interests, start (and complete) new projects. You have a job, family, volunteer work, and, and, and, and … You will continue to add more to your “list”.

But, it is entirely possible to eliminate the “Oh my goodness, it’s noon (or 3 pm or 5 pm) already and I haven’t accomplished ONE THING on my list” syndrome!

One of the strategies I recommend is time blocking.

When you identify what types of activities you want to accomplish and at what time of the day you want to accomplish them, you add a little bit of structure to your day.

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How long should your blocks of time be? It’s up to you! You want the schedule to be flexible enough so you don’t feel stifled, yet structured enough that you have direction. Some of my clients use one-hour blocks each day, others block their day into morning, afternoon, evening.

What activities should you assign to each block? It’s also up to you! What are your priorities? What are your interests? Obligations? What times of the day are best for you to perform certain types of activities?

Many of my clients like to choose from a menu like “family time,” or work project.” This allows them to have some structure, but not so much that the day becomes boring and confining. For example, possibly your morning time block is “personal development.”  Activities on your menu could include:  religious reading, listening to podcasts, drawing, exercising, and meditation.  Another time block could be “school prep”.  Menu activities could include:  checking over yesterday’s assignments, creating lesson plans, researching field trip options, updating required records, corresponding with other parents, researching supplemental materials.

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What are your next steps?

  • Become clear on your goals, dreams, and life vision. What are the activities that support those goals?
  • Group these activities by category: personal, business, family, projects, leisure, volunteer, etc.
  • Create a rough draft schedule for a week. Pencil in some blocks of time. Assign each block a category.
  • Assign an “evaluation” block each day.
  • Try to follow your schedule. NOTE – I said “try”. This is your first attempt. It takes many of my clients 5 – 6 attempts before they find the schedule that best works for them.
  • Keep notes each day on what worked in your schedule and what you want to adapt.
  • During your “evaluation” block – make adjustments to your calendar. Remember, the goal is to create a schedule that supports your goals. The key is to keep what works, and adapt the rest.

I encourage you to reach out for support on your building blocks – pick my brain during a complimentary 30 minute “Find More Time” strategy session.  Get started creating structure in your day. 

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(Image credit digitalart)