Time Blocking is a planning method where you divide your day into several chunks of time and assign tasks to each chunk in advance. Instead of a vague list of things to do ‘whenever,’ deciding ‘I'll do this at this time’ greatly reduces procrastination and indecision.
The basic method
- Divide the day into blocks of 30 minutes to 2 hours.
- Assign one type of task to each block (e.g., morning = writing, afternoon = meetings and email).
- Place work that needs focus in the times with the fewest distractions.
- Leave a buffer block to account for things taking longer than expected.
Combining with Pomodoro
If time blocking decides ‘what and when,’ Pomodoro decides how to focus within that block. For example, you might fill a 9–11 a.m. ‘writing block’ with four 25/5 Pomodoros. Set the big picture with time blocking and break the actual execution into Pomodoros, and planning and focus flow naturally together.