Timeboxing

Timeboxing is a time management technique where you allocate a specific, fixed amount of time to complete a task. Once the time is up, you stop working on that task, regardless of whether it’s finished or not. This technique has been a huge support in helping me to maintain healthy boundaries with my own work. No wonder it’s rated the the #1 most effective productivity hack by Harvard Business! 

Here are the key principles:

• Predetermined time blocks. You decide in advance how much time you’ll spend on a specific task.
• Strict adherence. Once the time is up, you move on to the next task.
• Focus. During the time block, you concentrate solely on the task at hand.
• Flexibility. While the time blocks are fixed, the tasks within them can be adjusted.

Steps to Timeboxing:

1. Brain dump. The first thing to do is what is called a “brain dump.” Formulate your thoughts on paper and write down all those tasks that are floating around in your head.
2. Pick your top three. Prioritize your top three tasks from the brain dump. This makes sure you don’t overlook the most important tasks for the day.
3. Create your timeboxes. Assign each task a time. This process gives you a visual of how much time you need today to make sure your priorities are addressed and creates a designated time to work on them. It’s a great reality check and priority filter, too, for overeager entrepreneurs. 

I often take a few minutes on Sunday evening to plan out my week’s work this way. Then, I do it again on a daily basis if something new has come up.

I think one of the things I appreciate most about timeboxing is when I have that sudden, “Oh no! I need to get X done!” I can remind myself that it’s on my schedule for either later that day or sometime that week, and I can relax and return to being fully present to the task at hand.