Calendar Blocking Basics

6 “Must Have” Blocks of Time Every Calendar Should Have

People are struggling to be productive but these calendar blocking basics will make getting things done much easier. Productivity seems like an insurmountable task.  I don’t care which way you spin it, we only have 24 hours in a day but we feel like we need more time to get done all the things that need to get done. Believe me.. I understand. That’s why I’m going to share six different types of time you need to make sure are on your calendar. You’ll see why I believe in creating a zero-sum batched calendar.  When you use this method all of your time and all of your day will be spent.  Not in an exhausting way, but in a way that ensures you get everything that needs to get done and you give yourself plenty of time to do it. I teach about productivity inside Project CEO so I know it can be challenging.  I also know that when you are very clear about who you are, what you want, how you operate, and what you need to do and be your best, you can create a calendar system that will work for you. The struggle is real!!  I know!! 

You may have watched countless videos on how to manage your time or be more productive, and if you’re like me, you tried all of them.  What I’ve found is they don’t really work if I don’t value the same activities or function better at a different time.  That’s why these six times that I’m going to share with you are so important. As long as you have them you can manipulate them on your calendar as you see fit. It’s the best way, in my opinion, to manage your time better. 

Hey Sis.. Where Have You Been | Personal Time 

The first time type is your personal time. I’ve talked about this time block before. I wake up every morning and I have a good hour to an hour and a half for things that are important to me.  Things like taking my medicine,  drinking my coffee,  watching Good Morning America,  talking to my best friend on the phone and lounging. It’s important to me to get my days started slowly, when I can.   I don’t like to hit the ground running if I don’t have to. It’s not that I can’t get up early, I can, I just don’t like to. I like to ease into my day. 

Making personal time one of the time blocks on my calendar also helps me make room for exercise, whether I like it or not… lol! Taking care of me also includes my devotion, gratitude and prayer practices. Of Americans 25 years of age and older, 6.6% are engaged in health-related self-care each day.  By adding a personal time block to your calendar, you would be among them.

Are We There Yet? | Family Time

The next type of time you should have on your calendar is family time.  As a parent, your mornings may be filled with getting the kids breakfast, packing lunches and taking them to school. In the evening,  you’re making dinner, helping with homework, and getting kids ready for bed.  This is what I would consider family time. It could also be the weekend, where you’re going to soccer games and you’re going out to eat with your husband and your kids as a family unit.  It’s going to church… These are things that make family memories and contribute to the loving home you’re creating.  

When my husband and I started having children, we made it a point to prioritize our relationship first.  We knew that by doing this, we would be intentionally setting our children up with an example of commitment and family bonding.  It worked out well because the older the children got, the more hectic things became.  Having a designated block of time on our calendar for family time ensured we didn’t miss bonding moments with our children.    

As an entrepreneur, I’m familiar with the struggle between growing a business and raising a family.  My advice is to make sure you have family time on your calendar. There is no such thing as work/life balance.  Being intentional about developing a harmonious mindset will benefit you greatly. 

Time To Make The Donuts | Work Time

The next type of time is your work time.  This, if you’re like me, is where productivity is the goal.  I want to make the most of the time in this time block. The idea is to check off those  to do items on my list that get me closer to achieving my overall goals for the year.  So far you’ve already morning self-care, the kids are off to school or at least situated, and you’ve got a dedicated block of time to knock out those important tasks that tether to your year end goals.  Knowing your PERSONAL PRIME TIME is going to be key here.  Are you a morning person? Are you a night owl? When are you most productive? When are you most creative?  Your personal prime time is determined by your personal framework.  It’s the lens through which you can see what you need to do and be your best in most circumstances. Self-awareness is important to the way you arrange your time blocks.  A good way to be intentional with this time is to use a project management tool.  I use Asana with my business and it works beautifully.

Making A Love Connection | Boo Time

The next type of time is one of my favorites.. It’s BOO TIME.  I put this on my calendar to make sure that my husband and I are staying connected. Whether it’s going on a date, or whether it’s sitting in front of the television enjoying each other’s company. The point is, it’s just he and I, being in each other’s presence and enjoying one another. I make sure this time is on my calendar. PERIOD.  My friends even know not to intrude on this time.  You have to set boundaries with people and teach them how to treat you.  I’ve definitely done this with my Boo time.  The relationship with my husband is my number one priority. I love my kids, but even when they were growing up, I felt like our marital relationship was the most important. The number of couples separating and/or divorcing after their kids leave is crazy. I made sure that we spent that quality time together to avoid that fate.  According to the University of Louisville at Kentucky,  the empty nest divorce rate is REAL! It  has increased from 10% to 25% of marriages.

Get In Where You Fit It | Miscellaneous Time

The final type of time that I think is very important for you to have on your calendar is Miscellaneous Time.  This is time you have on your calendar to fill in miscellaneous tasks. Things that come up on an irregular basis.  Things like doctor’s appointments, lunch with a girlfriend or a lunch meeting.  When you need a place on your schedule to do something that’s outside of the ordinary of your day.   These pockets of time give you an open space on your calendar to be spontaneous without completely wrecking your planned day.  

Listen, when it comes to managing your time, I suggest that you take my advice and use these calendar blocking basics to fill your calendar. I call it a zero sum, blocked calendar.  You are allotting all of your time, but still achieving spontaneity in the process.   

I hope the introduction to these calendar blocking basics will help you make better use of the 24 hours you’ve been given. If mindset is the issue and you can’t seem to wrap your mind around blocking every hour of time in your day, you’re a great candidate for our community.  Mindsets are our jam.  The CEO Circle community specializes in adjusting the attitudes around mindsets that could be holding us back.  Knowing is growing, you know!

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