[[:encoded, “As a business owner, you often get pulled in many different directions, which can lead to thinly-spread focus and subpar quality of work. How many times have you started responding to an email, only to have a team member ping you to ask a question about an upcoming project, and then realize you had a meeting starting in two minutes?nnWhile there are many things that need your attention, not everything needs your attention right now. You can increase productivity by building a habit of time blocking each day.nnTime blocking is the practice of scheduling out each moment of your day on your calendar. It may look overwhelming to have a completely full calendar, but it’s a great way to understand when to focus on certain activities and create much-needed structure in your schedule.nnHow to start blocking out time on your calendarnFilling up your calendar doesn’t mean it needs to be followed exactly, every single day. Allow for flexibility, especially as circumstances change and crises inevitably arise. Think of it more as a framework, a place to get started and increase productivity before you even start working. Let me share some ideal to help you to start setting up your own time blocking calendar or get even better at time blocking.nnStart with Your Own RoutinesnWhile the majority of your day will be work-related tasks, it’s important to set aside time for your own personal routines. Working out, for example, provides many benefits for business owners. If you prefer exercising in the morning, block off an hour to an hour and a half in the morning on your calendar for your workout time.nnBlock Off Dedicated Email TimenIt can be tempting to check each email as it comes in, but interrupting your current task you are working on to check your email can shift your focus. In doing so, it will take more time to refocus on what you were originally doing, leading to a less productive work session. Block off a couple of one-hour blocks during the day, as needed, to check and respond to emails. I recommend 11:00 and 4:00, so you aren’t checking email first thing and getting off schedule first thing in the morning.nnSave Time for LunchnDon’t forget to eat! Schedule lunch breaks or quick 15-minute breaks as needed. The rule is, if they’re on your calendar, you have to take them. This also helps you to set boundaries, so that others can’t disturb you during those set times. Taking a break to eat and recharge throughout the day can keep you mentally sharp and reset your creative juices. Go ahead, you deserve it.nnBlock Off Time for Projects or Specific TasksnHow granular you want to get on your calendar depends on your preference—you can either block off time each day for “Daily tasks” or for specific tasks, such as “Write first draft of Forbes article.” If you’re more creative in the mornings, use that time to be intentional about crafting a vision for your company, or taking notes from books or podcasts with ideas you want to implement. If the afternoon is when you feel most productive, set aside a chunk of time in the afternoon for task batching.nnMSupport the show
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As an experienced accountability coach and author of 5 books, I help business professionals make more money, work less, and enjoy even better work life balance.
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