Timeblocking Explained

Timeblocking or time blocking (also known as time chunking[1]) is a productivity technique for personal time management where a period of time—typically a day or week—is divided into smaller segments or blocks for specific tasks or to-dos. It integrates the function of a calendar with that of a to-do list. It is a kind of scheduling.[1]

When done properly, timeblocking can help eliminate distractions and discourage unproductive multitasking.[1] [2] [3]

History

The practice of timeblocking is nearly as old as the use of calendars. Evidence suggests that calendars during the Bronze Age corresponded to a particular agricultural action. This enabled farmers to plant and harvest at the right times, reducing crop spoilage.

As the standard definition of a calendar gradually evolved to the Gregorian one that is widely used today and each unit of time became subdivided into smaller and smaller segments, timeblocking evolved to a more detailed scale.While the first known user of timeblocking is unknown, Benjamin Franklin was known to be an early adopter. Franklin avidly detailed the activities he would undertake every hour of the day, including rest and chores. He blocked off hours at a time to engage in deep work and allocated two hours for lunch.[4]

Since the advent of personal digital assistants in the 1990s and later smartphones in the 2000s, timeblocking has transformed from a paper-and-pen format to a digital format in the form of calendaring software and time-tracking software. Digital calendars enable users to share meetings and send meeting invites, furthering collaboration. This has reduced the need for paper calendars, though users still remain.[5]

Benefits

Timeblocking aids in daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly planning. It is based on a single-tasking mindset, promoting devoting one's full attention to a task for a specified duration of time. The main benefit of timeblocking is that it helps users achieve more in the same amount of time. Cal Newport, author of Deep Work and assistant professor of computer science at Georgetown University has stated,

Timeblocking can help users be more realistic about what can be accomplished in a day and help them structure their day more productively.[6] Additionally, timeblocking personal time such as breakfast in the morning or vacation time can help alleviate workplace-induced stress. Timeblocking encourages allocating deliberate time away from the desk, reducing the chance of employee burnout. This can help workers feel more rejuvenated and more productive when they are working.[7] Finally, timeblocking creates a sense of artificial urgency to get each task done in a predetermined amount of time which may help some users accomplish more in the same time period, with one study finding that professionals who timeblock accomplish 53% more tasks than otherwise.[8] [9]

Criticisms

David Allen, author of Getting Things Done, once espoused a no-frills approach to calendar organization, advocating for only putting deadlines on calendars.[10] However, in recent years, he has expressed doubts about his previous approach to calendar management, reneging on his previous ideology. In an interview in 2014, he has supported timeblocking by stating, "yesterday I blocked my calendar for two different time slots to work on a project."[11] [12]

Relationship with other methods

Notable users

See also

References

  1. Book: Powers, Tara . 2020 . Creating and sticking to a schedule . Working from Home for Dummies . Indianapolis . . 25–26 . 9781119748496.
  2. Mokhtari . Kouider . Delello . Julie . Reichard . Carla . May 2015 . Connected yet distracted: multitasking among college students . Journal of College Reading and Learning . 45 . 2 . 164–180 . 10.1080/10790195.2015.1021880.
  3. Web site: Reh . F. John . Why chunking is better than multitasking for improving work efficiency . . 2020-08-21.
  4. Web site: 10 lessons from Benjamin Franklin's daily schedule that will double your productivity. 2020-08-04. Ladders Business News & Career Advice. en.
  5. Web site: A History of Time Blocking – The School for Individual Task Scheduling. scheduleu.org. 2020-08-04. en-US.
  6. Web site: Increase Productivity With Time Blocking: A Step-by-Step Guide. 2020-08-04. monday.com Blog. en-US.
  7. Web site: Time Blocking. 2020-08-04. toggl.com.
  8. Web site: Rampton. John. 2019-04-16. Time Blocking Tips Top Experts and Scientists Use to Increase Productivity. 2020-08-04. Entrepreneur. en.
  9. Web site: Quantime Timeblocking Philosophy. 2021-01-12. Quantime. en-US.
  10. Web site: Basic GTD: The Calendar. 2020-08-04. facilethings.com. en.
  11. Web site: Why David Allen Seems to be Changing His Mind About Scheduling – The School for Individual Task Scheduling. scheduleu.org. 2020-08-04. en-US.
  12. Web site: GTD Connect online learning center. 2020-08-04. GTD Connect. en-US.
  13. Web site: Quantime Timeblocking Philosophy. 2021-01-12. Quantime. en-US.
  14. Web site: 10 lessons from Benjamin Franklin's daily schedule that will double your productivity. 2020-08-04. Ladders Business News & Career Advice. en.
  15. Web site: Clifford. Catherine. 2020-06-17. Why billionaire VC Marc Andreessen schedules every second of his day, including 'critical' free time. 2020-08-04. CNBC. en.
  16. Web site: Newport. Cal. Deep Habits: The Importance of Planning Every Minute of Your Work Day. 2020-08-04. www.calnewport.com.
  17. Web site: How to manage time effectively even if your schedule is hectic. 2020-08-04. Ladders Business News & Career Advice. en.
  18. Web site: Kruse. Kevin. Why Highly Productive People Use 'Time Blocking'. 2020-08-04. Forbes. en.

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