What are the best ways to use time blocking for career development?

Time blocking is a time management technique that helps you plan your day by dividing it into blocks of time, each dedicated to a specific task or goal. It can help you focus, prioritize, and avoid distractions, as well as track your progress and achievements. But how can you use time blocking for career development? Here are some tips to help you make the most of this method.

1 Set your goals

Before you start time blocking, you need to have a clear idea of what you want to achieve in your career. Whether it's a promotion, a new skill, a project, or a personal milestone, you need to define your goals and break them down into smaller and measurable steps. This will help you create realistic and relevant time blocks that align with your career vision.

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Junaid Talaat Waheed Khan

Secretary of the Board | PAA | CAA | Certified Director | Governance | ESG | Compliance | Aviation | x KE | x PIA
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Setting your goal is like doing half of the job. Best would be jot down various needs and compare it with the ability to address them. I always use paper for this. It helps me understand the flow and evaluate various options in achieving them.

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2 Choose your tools

There are many tools and apps that can help you create and manage your time blocks, such as Google Calendar, Toggl, or Todoist. You can also use a simple paper planner or a spreadsheet. The key is to choose a tool that suits your preferences, needs, and habits. You want a tool that is easy to use, flexible, and accessible. You also want a tool that allows you to set reminders, track your time, and review your results.

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3 Schedule your blocks

Once you have your goals and tools, you can start scheduling your time blocks. You can do this daily, weekly, or monthly, depending on your availability and priorities. You can also use different colors or categories to distinguish between different types of tasks, such as urgent, important, routine, or creative. A general rule is to schedule your most important and challenging tasks for the morning, when you have more energy and focus, and leave the less demanding ones for the afternoon. You should also leave some buffer time between blocks to account for breaks, interruptions, and transitions.

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4 Stick to your blocks

The most crucial part of time blocking is to follow your plan and respect your blocks. This means that you should avoid multitasking, checking your email, or browsing social media during your blocks. You should also communicate your availability and boundaries to your colleagues, clients, and managers, and ask them to respect your time. If you encounter an unexpected situation or an emergency, you can adjust your blocks accordingly, but try to minimize the disruptions and stick to your original plan as much as possible.

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Ulrika Brattemark, PCC

Soulful Time Management for the Heart-centered Solopreneur | Speaker | Author of Time Alchemy | Founder of the Soul Sisters Collective | Life Enthusiast!
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Setting up time to co-work with others (either virtually or in person) is a really powerful way to help you stick to your commitment. At the start of the session, you commit to what you'll be focused on, and then you each get to work. At the end, you do a quick check-in again to reflect on what worked and what didn't.

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5 Review your blocks

At the end of each day, week, or month, you should review your time blocks and evaluate your performance and outcomes. This will help you identify what worked well, what didn't, and what you can improve. You can use metrics such as completion rate, time spent, quality, feedback, or satisfaction to measure your results. You can also use this opportunity to celebrate your achievements, reward yourself, and acknowledge your progress.

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6 Optimize your blocks

Based on your review, you can optimize your time blocks for the next period. You can tweak your goals, tasks, tools, or schedule to make them more effective and efficient. You can also experiment with different strategies, such as batching similar tasks, delegating or outsourcing low-value tasks, or using the Pomodoro technique to break down your blocks into shorter intervals. The goal is to find the best way to use your time blocks to support your career development and growth.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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Ulrika Brattemark, PCC

Soulful Time Management for the Heart-centered Solopreneur | Speaker | Author of Time Alchemy | Founder of the Soul Sisters Collective | Life Enthusiast!
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Rather than blocking out times on your calendar and then fitting your work into those times, I suggest you start from the other end. First, get really clear on what work needs to be done and consider how time-blocking can *support you* with that. Depending on the type of work/tasks, and your preferences about the time of the day or week, and other circumstances that affect your ability to concentrate. You can then set yourself up for truly productive work during those timeslots.

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Oluwaseun Lijoka

Lead Non-Oil Export and Agric Business @Nova Bank Ltd
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In the banking industry, leveraging time blocking for career development is paramount. Allocate focused blocks to tasks like market research, staying abreast of industry trends, and continuous learning. Prioritize relationship-building during specific time slots, fostering connections within the industry. Dedicate time to skill enhancement, such as financial analysis or compliance updates, ensuring continuous professional growth. By strategically allocating blocks to career-oriented activities, you enhance productivity and propel your career forward in the dynamic landscape of banking.

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What are the best ways to use time blocking for career development?

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1 Set your goals

2 Choose your tools

3 Schedule your blocks

4 Stick to your blocks

5 Review your blocks

6 Optimize your blocks

7 Here’s what else to consider

Time Management

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What are the best ways to use time blocking for career development?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Set your goals

2 Choose your tools

3 Schedule your blocks

4 Stick to your blocks

5 Review your blocks

6 Optimize your blocks

7 Here’s what else to consider

Time Management

Rate this article

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