What is Time Blocking?
Time blocking is the practice of planning out every moment of your day in advance and dedicating specific time "blocks" for specific tasks. Instead of working from a to-do list and fitting tasks in when you can, you assign each task a specific time slot.
The principle: A 40-hour time-blocked work week produces the same output as a 60+ hour non-time-blocked week. You achieve more in less time by eliminating decision fatigue and protecting focus.
Why It Works
- Eliminates decision fatigue — You decide once what you'll work on, not constantly throughout the day
- Creates intentionality — Every hour has a purpose
- Protects deep work — Scheduled focus time can't be stolen by urgent-but-not-important tasks
- Reveals time reality — You see exactly where your time goes
- Reduces procrastination — Hard tasks have assigned slots, not "later"
Example Time-Blocked Day
8:00 - 8:30 — Morning routine, coffee, review day
8:30 - 10:30 — Deep work: Main project (2 pomodoros)
10:30 - 11:00 — Email batch #1
11:00 - 12:00 — Meetings
12:00 - 13:00 — Lunch break (away from desk)
13:00 - 14:30 — Deep work: Secondary project
14:30 - 15:00 — Admin tasks
15:00 - 16:30 — Deep work: Learning/skill development
16:30 - 17:00 — Email batch #2, plan tomorrow
How to Start Time Blocking
- List your tasks — Everything you need to do this week
- Estimate durations — Be realistic, add buffer time
- Identify your best hours — When is your energy highest? Block deep work there
- Create the schedule — Assign every task to a specific time block
- Batch similar tasks — Group email, calls, admin together
- Include breaks — Non-negotiable rest blocks
- Review and adjust — At day's end, see what worked and what didn't
Time Blocking + Pomodoro
These techniques complement each other perfectly:
- Time blocking decides WHAT you work on and WHEN
- Pomodoro structures HOW you work during each block
A 2-hour deep work block might contain four 25-minute pomodoros with breaks between them.
Common Mistakes
❌ Over-scheduling
Leaving no buffer time. Things take longer than expected. Build in 15-30% extra time.
❌ No flexibility
The plan is a guide, not a prison. When things change, reblock your remaining time.
❌ Skipping breaks
Breaks are part of the system. They're not optional extras to skip when busy.
❌ Morning planning
Plan your day the evening before. Morning willpower is too valuable for planning.
Enforce Your Time Blocks
Tired Budgie screams when your focus block ends. Take the break, then start the next block.
Try Tired Budgie — Free