Block scheduling is a time management technique that has been gaining popularity in recent years, and one notable advocate of this method is none other than Elon Musk. The billionaire entrepreneur and CEO of Tesla and SpaceX is known for his incredibly busy schedule, yet he manages to juggle multiple projects and businesses with ease. So, what is block scheduling and how can it benefit your daily grind?
Block scheduling involves breaking your day into blocks of time dedicated to specific tasks or projects. Instead of jumping from one task to another throughout the day, you allocate a set amount of time to focus solely on one task before moving on to the next. This method allows for deep focus and concentration, ultimately leading to increased productivity and efficiency.
Elon Musk is a firm believer in block scheduling and has even shared his own time management techniques with the world. Musk reportedly divides his day into five-minute blocks, scheduling everything from meetings to bathroom breaks. By allocating specific blocks of time to each task, Musk is able to stay on track and make the most of his day.
But what if a small block of time isn’t enough to complete a project? This is where the beauty of block scheduling lies. While it may seem counterintuitive to leave work unfinished, sometimes it’s necessary in order to move on to the next task. By breaking larger projects into smaller blocks of time, you can chip away at them bit by bit, ultimately completing them over time.
For example, let’s say you have a project that will take 10 hours to complete. Instead of trying to tackle it all at once, you can break it down into two-hour blocks and work on it over the course of a week. This not only allows you to make steady progress on the project, but it also prevents burnout and keeps you motivated.
By using block scheduling, you can take on multiple projects simultaneously without feeling overwhelmed. It allows you to prioritize your tasks, allocate time for important projects, and maintain a healthy work-life balance. And as Elon Musk has shown, this method can lead to incredible success and productivity.
I use block scheduling and it has really helped break up tedious projects I have been putting off. Balancing several projects between home, work, self-improvement, pups – at times it seemed overwhelming. Now I find myself getting more done and enjoying the process. I use poster board and different time blocks – 1 hour, 2 hours, half hour, 15 minutes…and so on. This works better for me. I also love the visual and taking the task away when the time is up. It’s a rewarding feeling!
Don’t overthink the process and just get moving. Cut larger squares from the poster board for your time blocks. Then arrange smaller sized rectangle poster board underneath the time block you want to use for that day. Using this arrangement I overcame the discouragement from not being able to start a task I knew I couldn’t finish in a day. Or starting and not going back to it. Piecing it by time blocks throughout the week, it was incredibly liberating to find myself completing more projects.
Block scheduling really helps minimize distractions and helps to keep you focused by minimizing being overloaded with goals (adhd hand raise). It is like a race to get things done, but in a good way. Set a timer to keep track of time. I use a simple cooking timer, but I am sure others will use one of their more advanced tech gadgets.
So, the next time you find yourself struggling to manage your time, consider implementing block scheduling into your daily routine. Start small by blocking out time for your most important tasks, and watch as your productivity soars. Remember, Rome wasn’t built in a day – but with enough blocks of time, you can achieve greatness.
And remember – each of us is different and different techniques will work with different people. If you want to find a different way though because your technique isn’t working, or you haven’t started one yet – try block scheduling. It will keep you interested and less overwhelmed!
The Adventure Machine
Sources/Further Study:
https://www.deskbird.com/blog/time-block-schedules
https://www.wired.com/story/block-scheduling-calendar-workflow-productivity
The Adventure Machine 
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