Blocking Off Time

Do you ever wish you could just put the world on pause so you could get stuff done? Imagine what you could accomplish if all those little interruptions and minute tasks just went away (if only for a few hours so you could focus)! 

It’s true that the hardest part of getting stuff done finding time to just sit down and focus on one task until it’s complete. As chronic multi-taskers, we often jump between multiple tasks only to become frustrated with our lack of progress on any of them.

That’s why it’s important to schedule those power work blocks into your calendar. While it’s unlikely you could dedicate an entire day to grinding through priority tasks, it’s easy to set aside an hour or two, maybe even three, every day to focus on what you need to get done.

Ways to block off time

Block Off Your Calendar — Set aside the same time every week so you get in the habit of using that time for work (and others know not to expect to be able to reach you during those time slots). Once a time slot is designated as a power work block, never allow anything else to be scheduled during that time (or even worse, allow non-priority tasks to sneak in there).

Designate a Project — Decide in advance what project you are going to tackle in each of your power work blocks. Try to match the type of activity to the work block. So for example, schedule product development work when you are the most energized and creative, and save monotonous tasks for later in the week  when you’ll be ready for a brain break.

Prepare in Advance — Get everything you need to handle the project quickly and efficiently ready to go beforehand. That may mean assembling research materials, gathering files or asking people to submit their input the day before. Do whatever you need to do to allow yourself to sit down and get it done! Your power work block is about powering through stuff, not getting ready to do the work.

Turn Off the Distractions — Make a no interruptions rule during your power work blocks (and that includes self-interruptions, like checking email, responding to alerts and popping onto social media to inform that world that you are getting a lot done today). This is why it’s useful to have regular power work blocks so others get used to the idea of you not being available during those time slots.

Front Load Your Week — Whenever possible, try to fit more power work blocks into the first half of your week because a) that’s typically when you have more energy to power through projects and b) if something is going to derail your productivity, it has less chance of doing so early in the week.