If you are anything like me, and I’m going to take a wild guess and say that you are, you feel there is never enough time in the day. It seems that no matter what time you get up or how much time you spend on any one thing, there is always something else that is left undone. You look at your to-do list and think, there is no way I am going to get all this done so why even try!
Trying to do it all and be it all is exhausting and unrealistic. The truth is that we have to take control and make time for what needs to be made time for. As women, we wear so many hats through the day, and they all need some attention from time to time. We’re wives, mothers, friends, sisters, and the list could go on and on.
For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven.
Ecclesiastes 3:1 (NLT)
So in order to continue to focus on routine as our flavor of the month, we need to make time for things in our routine that should be there. You’re probably thinking, well Ayanna if I could do that I would have done that already. My days would probably have way more than 24 hours, but who’s counting.
Yet, have you really taken the time to look at all the 24 hours you’re given daily? What are you really doing with them? When I did this it was truly eye-opening and made me reevaluate how I spend my time and allowed me to make time.
Time Blocking
By making time, I don’t mean literally because that is impossible. We all have the same 24 hours to work with, no more no less. By time blocking we are able to make time for the things we want and need to do. So let’s take this simple and cute printable, and then go to work making time!
(Before you download, please remember that these printables are free and for your personal use only. They cannot be sold, distributed, or marketed for monetary gain in any way. Thanks for your cooperation!)
Start by making a list of all you have to get done on a daily and a weekly basis. Then take this list along with your printable and assign every activity a time. Always remember to give yourself a little grace in this process. You are making an ‘ideal schedule’.
Know that even with this schedule, life happens and sometimes things will not get done. Yet by planning your days and giving all your time purpose the unexpected will not totally overwhelm you.
You will also have more time to do the things you want to do. Even if that is just to curl up on the couch for 30 minutes to read or play Connect 4 with your kids. You are working on living your most abundant life and embracing the power of the routine.
I’d love to hear about how you’ve made time in the comments!
I love time blocking but haven’t done it for awhile. Just printed out your cute printable! Thanks for the great post and reminder about seasons.
I’m so glad you are going to get into time blocking again and using my printable, Maegan. You can total reclaim your time and get your routine back on track.
I’ve never heard of time blocking, but I’m a planner-addict. It would be great if I could block out a chunk of time to do what makes my heart happy.
As a planner addict, Marta, you will definitely love time blocking. It’s the perfect way to take your planning up a few notches.
I’ve never considered scheduling like this, but my life is only getting crazier so I think I should give it a try!
I live by time blocking – it’s the only way I get anything done:) Thanks for sharing your tips!
I love this so much! I time block everything in my life and this looks like the perfect tool to keep helping.
Danielle
That’s awesome, Danielle! It took me a while to discover time blicking, but I can imagine my life now without it.
Since I’m results-oriented, I prefer to manage myself with a to-do list. I know you could time block that, but I would feel confined and frustrated. (Have to stop this and move on to that.) Time blocking is probably a good strategy for those who need more discipline to make things happen.
I used to time block and I then I started to get lazy. This is a good reminder to go back to it.
I tried doing this and it really helps. I have to be consistant on it though . There are days where I just feel exhausted feeling like I could never have enough time to finish everything. Thank you for this post.
I started doing this recently and it truly is incredible the difference it can make in your productivity! Just taking a few extra minutes to plan it all out really can mean the difference between finishing and forever playing catch up.
I need to do this! I’ve heard so many great things about time management with time blocking, I really want to try this out this year for work and personal stuff!
I’ve never time blocked before, I should try it!
First let me say how I love the look of your blog. Second, I am a planner so I love everything about this post. I am a list queen.
I need to start time blocking! Such a great post!
Although I use my planner religiously, I have yet to actually block my time daily. Definitely something I’m thinking about implementing, thanks for the printable!
I’ve been wanting to try this and have been informally playing with it by blocking time to do similar activities. I think committing it to paper will definitely help.Thanks for the post!
This is really helpful! I’m so busy and I don’t block my time, which leaves me jumping from thing to thing as I get so easily distracted. Like even now, I’m supposed to be working on homework! I need to follow your time blocking tips!
I do such a good job of scheduling but I’m so bad at getting distracted! I think this time blocking would really help me stay on track. Thanks!
I absolutely love this! I’ve never heard of time blocking before and now I look forward to trying it out with the printable you included. I’m constantly feeling like I don’t have enough hours in the day. Maybe I just need to take a closer look at my schedule and see where I’m actually not proprely using my time.
Thank you for sharing<3
xo Nicole
http://www.damatoadventures.blogspot.com
This is so true! I have really been doing this more and it helps me schedule out my day better and feel like I have more time in the day.
That’s great! I felt the same way once I started too. But sometimes I get too ambitious with my “extra time” lol?
This is going to be so helpful!! I am printing it off right now. Thanks!
I love time blocking. It always makes me feel more productive.