Time Blocking
The principle of time blocking is the division of a day into dedicated task periods. While there isn’t just a single founder, its roots are traced back to Benjamin Franklin's structured schedule. It gained modern popularity through Francesco Cirillo's Pomodoro Technique (discussed in our previous post) and Cal Newport's advocacy for deep, distraction-free work periods, evolving into a widely adopted method for improving efficiency in professional, academic, and personal contexts. So, here’s how you can do it.
How do we time block?
1. List Your Tasks and Priorities: Start by listing all the subjects or topics you need to study. Prioritize them based on deadlines, difficulty, or importance.
2. Estimate Time Requirements: Estimate how much time each task or study session will require. Be realistic about your speed and comprehension levels.
3. Create Time Blocks: Divide your day into blocks of time. These blocks can vary in length, but 1-2 hour blocks are commonly effective for studying to maintain focus without getting burnt out. Allocate each block to a specific study task or subject based on your priorities and time estimates.
4. Schedule Breaks: Include short breaks (e.g., 5-15 minutes) between study blocks to rest and recharge. Longer breaks can be planned after completing major tasks.
5. Use a Calendar or Planner: Digital calendars or physical planners are excellent tools for visualizing and planning your time blocks. Set reminders for starting and ending each block.
6. Stay Flexible: Life is unpredictable! So, be prepared to adjust your blocks as needed, but try to stick to the planned tasks as much as best as you can to maintain the schedule.
7. Review and Adjust: At the end of each day or week, review what you’ve accomplished. Adjust your time blocking plan based on what’s working and what isn’t.
Example: A student with a mix of study sessions, classes and personal tasks for the day.
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM: Morning routine (Breakfast, shower, etc.)
9:00 AM - 11:00 AM: Study block (Mathematics)
11:00 AM - 11:15 AM: Short break
11:15 AM - 1:15 PM: Study block (History reading)
1:15 PM - 2:00 PM: Lunch break
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM: Class
3:00 PM - 5:00 PM: Study block (Science project work)
5:00 PM - 5:15 PM: Short break
5:15 PM - 6:00 PM: Exercise or walk
6:00 PM onwards: Dinner and free time
What are the benefits of this technique?
Time blocking offers several benefits, making it an effective technique for managing both personal and professional tasks. By dedicating specific blocks of time to individual tasks or groups of tasks, we can enhance our focus and productivity, reducing the tendency to multitask and the distractions that often come with it. This method encourages an organized approach to tackling daily activities and guarantees that important tasks receive the attention they deserve. By putting in time for breaks, time blocking also promotes better work-life balance, preventing burnout and improving overall well-being. It also creates a sense of accomplishment as tasks are completed within their designated times, making it easier to track progress and adjust schedules as necessary.
What kind of learner can use this method?
Visual Learners: They can benefit from seeing their tasks laid out in a visual calendar format and can colour code for different tasks to enhance visual organization.
Goal-Oriented Learners: Those who thrive on setting and achieving specific objectives within their designated time blocks can find motivation in completing tasks, giving a sense of accomplishment.
Structured Learners: Learners who prefer having a clear plan and routine will benefit from time blocking as it organizes their study sessions methodically.
Task-Switchers: Those who naturally switch between tasks can benefit from the structured transitions time blocking imposes, improving focus and reducing time lost to context switching.