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Productivity
Timeblocking – time management technique
Productivity
Timeblocking – time management technique
Productivity
Timeblocking – time management technique
Summary
Timeblocking is a time management technique where time in a calendar is blocked off to complete specific tasks. Each day is then a schedule with your tasks and events. You work through the schedule to get things done.
Summary
Timeblocking is a time management technique where time in a calendar is blocked off to complete specific tasks. Each day is then a schedule with your tasks and events. You work through the schedule to get things done.
Read this article
2.5m
The Steps
1. Identify your tasks and events
Make a list of all your tasks and events. You can keep this to your academic studies or include work and personal tasks and events.
2. Prioritise
Take your list of tasks and events and re-order it so that the most important or most pressing is at the top, and the least important or least pressing at the bottom. Tasks can be prioritised by deadlines or importance, while events can be prioritised by things you must and would like to go to.
3. Create a timetable
You can use a digital calendar app for this or draw out a grid on paper. It’s important to set the boundaries of the timetable to suit you rather than using a stereotypical nine-to-five Monday-to Friday-schedule. If you are a night owl, for example, you might want to use a timeframe of 2 pm to 10 pm, or if you work weekends, you might want to use Wednesday to Sunday.
4. Add in events
Once you have your timetable, add your events as blocks. These come first because they are often less movable than tasks. Remember to factor in travel and recovery time by lengthening event blocks if needed.
5. Add in the top-priority task
Take the top priority task and assign it to one or more blocks of time in your calendar. You are setting aside this time to focus only on that task. A good tip at the beginning is to assign bigger rather than smaller tasks. As you get into the flow of working in blocks, you can make them smaller and more accurate in future.
6. Add in the rest of your tasks in priority order
Work down the list, adding your tasks as blocks in priority order. If you have too many tasks and not enough time, reassess your deadlines and priorities. Is there an event that you could take off the list? Or could some of your lower-priority tasks be done the week after? If you have too much and are feeling overwhelmed, talk to your tutor, as they will be able to help you prioritise.
7. Stick to your timetable and then review it again
Make a conscious effort to stick to your timetable for a day or two and see how you are getting on. If you need to adjust the length of some blocks, this is a good time to do it. If you like the structure but struggle to complete tasks, consider timeboxing.
8. Celebrate your wins!
At the end of every day or week, tick off your tasks on a to-do list and celebrate your progress. This will help you feel you are moving forward and motivate you to keep your streak going.
—-
If you have planned your time effectively, this should help you complete what is needed by any deadlines. Reward yourself, rest, do something fun and then look at next week and apply the same strategy. This will help you start feeling that you have more time and reduce pressure, allowing you to spend more time on the things you want to do.
Read this article
2.5m
The Steps
1. Identify your tasks and events
Make a list of all your tasks and events. You can keep this to your academic studies or include work and personal tasks and events.
2. Prioritise
Take your list of tasks and events and re-order it so that the most important or most pressing is at the top, and the least important or least pressing at the bottom. Tasks can be prioritised by deadlines or importance, while events can be prioritised by things you must and would like to go to.
3. Create a timetable
You can use a digital calendar app for this or draw out a grid on paper. It’s important to set the boundaries of the timetable to suit you rather than using a stereotypical nine-to-five Monday-to Friday-schedule. If you are a night owl, for example, you might want to use a timeframe of 2 pm to 10 pm, or if you work weekends, you might want to use Wednesday to Sunday.
4. Add in events
Once you have your timetable, add your events as blocks. These come first because they are often less movable than tasks. Remember to factor in travel and recovery time by lengthening event blocks if needed.
5. Add in the top-priority task
Take the top priority task and assign it to one or more blocks of time in your calendar. You are setting aside this time to focus only on that task. A good tip at the beginning is to assign bigger rather than smaller tasks. As you get into the flow of working in blocks, you can make them smaller and more accurate in future.
6. Add in the rest of your tasks in priority order
Work down the list, adding your tasks as blocks in priority order. If you have too many tasks and not enough time, reassess your deadlines and priorities. Is there an event that you could take off the list? Or could some of your lower-priority tasks be done the week after? If you have too much and are feeling overwhelmed, talk to your tutor, as they will be able to help you prioritise.
7. Stick to your timetable and then review it again
Make a conscious effort to stick to your timetable for a day or two and see how you are getting on. If you need to adjust the length of some blocks, this is a good time to do it. If you like the structure but struggle to complete tasks, consider timeboxing.
8. Celebrate your wins!
At the end of every day or week, tick off your tasks on a to-do list and celebrate your progress. This will help you feel you are moving forward and motivate you to keep your streak going.
—-
If you have planned your time effectively, this should help you complete what is needed by any deadlines. Reward yourself, rest, do something fun and then look at next week and apply the same strategy. This will help you start feeling that you have more time and reduce pressure, allowing you to spend more time on the things you want to do.
Written by Dr Cat Quine
Written by Dr Cat Quine
0:00/1:34
Summary
Timeblocking is a time management technique where time in a calendar is blocked off to complete specific tasks. Each day is then a schedule with your tasks and events. You work through the schedule to get things done.
Read this article
Timeblocking is a time management technique where time in a calendar is blocked off to complete specific tasks. Each day is then a schedule with your tasks and events. You work through the schedule to get things done.
The Steps
1. Identify your tasks and events
Make a list of all your tasks and events. You can keep this to your academic studies or include work and personal tasks and events.
2. Prioritise
Take your list of tasks and events and re-order it so that the most important or most pressing is at the top, and the least important or least pressing at the bottom. Tasks can be prioritised by deadlines or importance, while events can be prioritised by things you must and would like to go to.
3. Create a timetable
You can use a digital calendar app for this or draw out a grid on paper. It’s important to set the boundaries of the timetable to suit you rather than using a stereotypical nine-to-five Monday-to Friday-schedule. If you are a night owl, for example, you might want to use a timeframe of 2 pm to 10 pm, or if you work weekends, you might want to use Wednesday to Sunday.
4. Add in events
Once you have your timetable, add your events as blocks. These come first because they are often less movable than tasks. Remember to factor in travel and recovery time by lengthening event blocks if needed.
5. Add in the top-priority task
Take the top priority task and assign it to one or more blocks of time in your calendar. You are setting aside this time to focus only on that task. A good tip at the beginning is to assign bigger rather than smaller tasks. As you get into the flow of working in blocks, you can make them smaller and more accurate in future.
6. Add in the rest of your tasks in priority order
Work down the list, adding your tasks as blocks in priority order. If you have too many tasks and not enough time, reassess your deadlines and priorities. Is there an event that you could take off the list? Or could some of your lower-priority tasks be done the week after? If you have too much and are feeling overwhelmed, talk to your tutor, as they will be able to help you prioritise.
7. Stick to your timetable and then review it again
Make a conscious effort to stick to your timetable for a day or two and see how you are getting on. If you need to adjust the length of some blocks, this is a good time to do it. If you like the structure but struggle to complete tasks, consider timeboxing.
8. Celebrate your wins!
At the end of every day or week, tick off your tasks on a to-do list and celebrate your progress. This will help you feel you are moving forward and motivate you to keep your streak going.
—-
If you have planned your time effectively, this should help you complete what is needed by any deadlines. Reward yourself, rest, do something fun and then look at next week and apply the same strategy. This will help you start feeling that you have more time and reduce pressure, allowing you to spend more time on the things you want to do.
Written by Dr Cat Quine
Dr Cat Quine (she/her) is a former research fellow and assistant professor at the Universities of Oxford and Nottingham. She is autistic.
Written by Dr Cat Quine
Dr Cat Quine (she/her) is a former research fellow and assistant professor at the Universities of Oxford and Nottingham. She is autistic.