Effective Time Blocking Template for Busy Moms
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Time blocking is an amazing time organizing hack that will have you feeling good about your time management. Get more done in less time! In this post, we will cover:
- How to get started with time blocking.
- Using a time blocking template.
- How a time blocking schedule will help you stay focused.
- How to make a time blocking schedule.
It’s perfect for busy moms, whether you work out of the home or if you work in the home. Perfect for stay-at-home moms, homeschooling moms, and working moms.
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Let’s get to it and really dive into what time blocking is, how to stay on top of your daily routines, and how you can use time blocking to change your day and get more done. Time blocking is the perfect tool for busy moms who need help getting things done and staying organized.
What is Time Blocking for Moms?
Time blocking is where you schedule your day in blocks of time you dedicate to specific tasks. Time blocking means you must be strict about what you do during those blocks of time. Your productivity will skyrocket if you implement this time blocking technique into your busy day-to-day life. Using a time-blocking schedule means you’re getting rid of distractions and focusing on one designated task for that time block.
Time blocking can still allow you to switch things up, but you’d have to move your blocks around, not multitask while you’re in a time block. A printable time management plan will help you get through that to-do list and help you feel more relaxed and in control of your day. Being a mom means you’re busy every day.
So How Will Time Blocking Change Your day?
Time blocking will change your day because it will allow you to prioritize your day and dedicate blocks of time to one task at a time. The goal of time blocking is to stop your multitasking ways.
Do you ever have days where you do a million things at once, and at the end of the day, you feel exhausted and like you didn’t do anything all day? That’s what we’re going to stop. We will get you organized your day by prioritizing your to-do list and blocking off specific times for those tasks. You won’t be doing anything except what’s scheduled for that block during this time.
Why Time Blocking is so Much Better than a To Do List
A to-do list is great, don’t get me wrong, but the problem is that if we don’t know how to prioritize that to-do list and if we spend all day touching a little bit of everything on your to-do list, you won’t feel like you actually accomplished anything.
Time blocking is better than a to-do list because it allows you to focus on one of those tasks at a time before you move on to another.
If you want the best of both worlds, you can grab my Time Blocking Package to implement affirmations, mindset, and time blocking into your daily routine. It feels so good to easily take care of many things while simply scheduling your day.
How do you Stay On Top of Your Daily Routines?
Staying on top of your daily routines can be tricky, but once you find a routine that works for you, it’ll become easier and easier.
You can always change your schedule until you find a routine that works for you. Time blocking allows you to schedule your days and change things around until you find a routine that works efficiently for you.
How do I Start Time Blocking?
If you’re new to time blocking or have done this before, I recommend you download a free time blocking schedule so you can print and fill out your day. So easy. These are great because you don’t have to really think about how to time block or if you’re missing anything. It’s already laid out for you in a suitable format that’s easy to understand. Fill it out each day or re-use your free printable again and again. Start by working out how much time you have available each day. Then, create a list of important tasks and important things in your day that you need to add to your time block schedule. You might want these things done regularly for work time, mom life, or other tasks.
Why Time Block as a Busy Mom
Block scheduling is great for busy moms; take out your to-do list and prioritize it. Once you have your list prioritized, start writing out those tasks and assigning them a block of time. We have so much on our plates as moms. It’s nice to plan and work through your day, feeling organized and motivated.
I know I always feel better if I know I’m focused on one thing at a time and I’m getting things done. You can even take block scheduling a step further and plan your week. Print out five sheets and plan it Monday to Friday.
Time Blocking Schedule for Stay-at-Home Moms
Stay at home moms are so busy! I was a stay at home mom for eight years, and I won’t forget for a minute how busy I was and how, almost every day, I’d sit down and look around and wonder what the heck I did all day. The house was a mess, (picked up toys five times already), dinner was late (dealt with tantrums all day), and I felt like I had zero “me time.”
Time blocking your day will change your life. Block out your breakfast, clean up, playtime, park, and run errands. Plan it all out. Want to clean up or organize a closet? Add it to your schedule and prioritize it. Schoolwork? Planning? Write it in a block and watch how much smoother your day goes. A printable time management planner will change your life, girl.
Why You Should Use a Time Blocking Template
Time blocking schedules help you take the guesswork out of it. Download your free time blocking template and hit print. Fill out the sections and pin them up on your fridge, or keep them anywhere you can refer to it. Once you finish a block, cross it off or mark it off. Another great thing about these is you can laminate them and use a dry-erase marker to use them repeatedly.
Time blocking is also great for homeschooling moms. Schedule your day by subject and breaks, etc.
Time Blocking Your Areas of Focus
The great thing about scheduling your day in time blocks is that you can block your areas of focus. Personally, I block time that I want to work on this website, time that I want to block off for Instagram, family time, and my kid’s activities. I block off time for anything that is an area I want to focus on each day and work on a task a day for that area of focus.
Even if my week is crazy busy, by allowing some time to focus on my business each day, I’m always moving forward, even if I’m only spending a small amount of time on it each day. What drives me crazy is when I go too long and do not get anything done. I’ll always prefer to keep moving forward, no matter how small, than to not be any further ahead than I was the day before.
Time Blocking to Help You Reach Your Goals
Time blocking is an effective tool to help you reach your personal and professional goals. By dedicating specific blocks of time to the tasks that help you progress toward your goals, you ensure that each day brings you closer to achieving them.
This method is especially beneficial when dealing with longer-term goals requiring consistent effort. Instead of feeling overwhelmed by the magnitude of these goals, time blocking breaks them down into manageable daily tasks, making your aspirations more achievable and less intimidating.
Each marked-off block on your schedule signifies a step forward, creating a sense of accomplishment and propelling you toward your goal.
Creating a Daily Time Blocking Template
How do I make a block schedule? How do I start using a time blocking template and make a block schedule that works for me? Let’s get to it. If you want to create your own time blocking schedule, you’ll need to include a couple of things.
A spot for the date, time, a to-do list section, and your time blocks. If you create a template with these things, you’ve got a good start on a time blocking schedule. Another option is to create a separate to-do list template so you have more room to fill in your time blocks. You can make templates on apps like Canva and PicMonkey.
Incorporating rest blocks into your time blocking template is absolutely essential. It is easy to forget that our brains need time to rest and recharge to function at their best. Just as you schedule blocks of time for work, household chores, or children’s activities, make sure to schedule regular rest intervals.
These moments of respite could be as simple as a 15-minute coffee break in the morning, a half-hour of leisure reading in the afternoon, or a short walk outside to clear your head. By intentionally scheduling these rest periods, you allow your mind and body to rejuvenate, boosting overall productivity and preventing burnout.
When Is The Best Time To Plan Your Printable Time Management Planner?
I would set time aside each evening or morning to plan your time, blocking for the next day. Take some time to plan the next day or do this early in the morning. Try not to do this as you go through your day. Having a plan ahead of time will help you feel in control and more organized. It makes you feel less overwhelmed each day and will help you be more productive.
Test Out Your Time Blocking Method
Don’t forget you can always switch things around. Designate our time blocks, but feel free to switch things around in your day if you need to and play with different things. If you work better in the morning, schedule your work stuff earlier, play dates later on, and clean in the evening.
Switch it around, this is your time management planner, so make sure it’s working for you in the best possible way. Play around with your schedule until you find something you like and something you can continue to do to build a good routine for yourself.
Tips to Effectively Block Time
To effectively time block, you need to be intentional about your time blocking, prioritize your to-do list, and ensure that when you’re working on a task you’ve allotted for that time, you don’t do anything else.
Put your phone away, close out your email tabs, eliminate distractions, and only focus on the task you’ve designated to that time block. You have to be consistent, and you have to get rid of the distractions around you. That means closing out my tabs and putting my phone away.
- Setting Realistic Time Blocks: Setting realistic expectations when setting time blocks is essential. Overestimating the amount of work you can do in a given time frame can lead to stress and frustration. Managing it can help to reduce stress.
- Flexibility: It’s essential to be flexible with your time-blocking schedule. Unexpected tasks or events may come up, and you should be prepared to adjust your schedule accordingly.
- Time for Personal Development: Don’t forget to allocate time to personal development activities. This could include reading, taking online courses, or practicing a new skill.
- Avoid Multitasking: Multitasking can lead to decreased productivity. Try to focus on one task at a time within each time block.
- Regular Review: Review your time-blocking schedule on a weekly basis to identify what’s working and what’s not. This will allow you to refine your schedule for maximum efficiency continually.
- Time for Reflection: Allocate a time block for reflection at the end of your day. This helps you review your day, identify any challenges, and plan for a more productive day.
- Use of Technology: There are plenty of apps and tools available that can help you with time-blocking. Explore these options and use the ones that best suit your needs.
Here are More Articles to Keep You Organized and Productive!
Morning and Evening Check List
Time Blocking for Busy Moms – How to do it Effectively
The key to time blocking is to stay consistent. Manage your time efficiently, but that doesn’t mean you have to jam-pack your days. The key here is to schedule less but be laser-focused on what you need to do vs doing the endless scroll and little bits of things here and there.
Time Blocking is a great way to organize your day, if you want even more time-saving and productivity tips, check out how to plan your monthly goals!
As a full-time working mom of three, I know what it’s like to feel like life is out of balance and out of control.
While I don’t have it all figured out, I am committed to sharing helpful tips and tricks with other mommas who are ready to break free from negativity, ditch mom guilt, & finally, live life on their own terms.