The Power of Time Blocking

Time blocking has been one of the most effective strategies in my project management toolkit. During my tenure as a consultant at one of the largest mining companies, I faced the challenge of managing multiple requests simultaneously. This involved gathering requirements, building solutions, testing, deploying to production, gathering customer feedback, and delivering the final product. Without time blocking, this process would have been chaotic and inefficient.

How Time Blocking Works

Time blocking involves dedicating specific time slots in your calendar to focus on particular tasks. For instance, if I had a project to work on, I would block out time in my calendar to ensure I wasn’t pulled into meetings or other distractions unless something urgent came up. This allowed me to prepare throughout the week and ensure timely delivery. By focusing on one task at a time, I was able to provide more accurate timelines to the business, which helped in managing expectations and delivering results by the end of the week.

The Challenges Before Time Blocking

Before adopting time blocking, I found myself constantly juggling multiple requests, jumping from one task to another without making significant progress on any. This approach led to inefficiency and frustration.

Time blocking helped me regain control by ensuring that I wasn’t always available for calls or meetings. This allowed me to focus on building solutions without interruptions, reducing chaos, and increasing productivity.

Handling Urgent Requests

Urgent requests are inevitable in any project. To manage these effectively, I would list all the tasks I was working on and, when a new urgent request came in, I would consult my manager to prioritize. I would ask, “Which task should I focus on, and which one should I drop?” This approach ensured clear communication with my manager and helped me avoid burnout. It also built trust with both my team and customers, as they knew exactly when to expect deliverables.

Final Thoughts

Time blocking is a powerful technique that can transform the way you manage projects. By dedicating specific time slots to focused work, you can increase productivity, manage expectations, and reduce stress.

It’s a strategy that has worked exceptionally well for me, and I highly recommend it to anyone looking to improve their project management skills.

Do you block time to get things done? I am curious to know what works or doesn’t work for you.