Time Blocking to Avoid Overwhelm
As the new year approaches I had to share my process for one of the most common questions I get….how do you organize your day to stay present with BOTH family and business! Below is how I utilize time blocking to be a present mother and entrepreneur and how you can use it to get rid of that horrible overwhelming feeling in your life!
Every Sunday, I take out my digital planner and write everything out all my to-dos for the week. I then categorize them by type…so I had one list for my corporate job (now my own business), one list for my health and fitness business and one list for personal/ family tasks. Then I take those tasks and apply them to actual hours in my day.
See example of my time blocking day BEFORE I had my two boys below:
5:00 A.M. - 5:30 A.M.
Workout
5:30 A.M. - 6:00 A.M.
Personal Development
Affirmations
Devotions/Meditations
6:00 A.M. - 6:30 A.M.
Office Hours: emails, messages, clear inboxes
6:30 A.M.- 8:00 A.M.
Shower
Eat Breakfast
Get ready
Train to work
9:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M.
Corporate Job
6:00 P.M.- 8:00 P.M.
Dinner and time with family
8:00 P.M.- 10:00 P.M.
Income producing activities to build my business
See example of my time blocking day NOW that I am a work from home mom of two boys below:
5:30 A.M. - 6:00 A.M.
Read 1 chapter of a Personal Development Book
Meditation
6:00 A.M. - 6:30 A.M.
Write Out My Affirmations
Gratitude Practice
6:30 A.M. - 7:00 A.M.
Clear inboxes, write social media posts
6:30 A.M.- 8:00 A.M.
Make boys breakfast
Get Sam ready for school
Morning time with my boys
8:00 A.M- 8:30 A.M.
Workout with William
8:30 A.M- 11:00 P.M:
One on one time with William and household chores
11:00 P.M.- 12:00 P.M:
Lunch with David and William
12:30 P.M.- 3:00 P.M:
Nap Time Hustle: responding to messages, tackling to-do list, one on one mentorship calls
David gets Sam from school
3:00 P.M- 7:30 P.M:
Family time
Family dinner
7:30 P.M.- 10:00 P.M:
Income producing activities to build my business
Here are 5 tips that helped me use time blocking to avoid overwhelm:
TURN OFF NOTIFICATIONS
I turn off all my notifications (Instagram and Facebook) while I am in a time blocking session or with my family. When I do an Instagram story of my boys, I record the moment and then I put my phone back away. Being a present Mom and Wife is so important to me and this tip helps so much!
TALK ABOUT YOUR GOALS AND DREAMS
Talk about your goals and dreams with your spouse/ loved ones to get them more involved and understand how the time blocking process helps your future together.
ELIMINATE TV
I do not watch tv simply because I do not have time for it.
CHOOSE 2 IMPORTANT TIME BLOCKS
If your kids don’t stick to schedule, then just choose 2 time blocks to work. Make your 2 most important time blocks when you have the most quiet so for me that is in the morning and at night.
SLEEP MANAGEMENT
The reality is that sometimes you don’t get as much sleep as you want to. I choose my “hard.” I get woken up twice a night by William, but I still get up at 5:30 A.M. no matter what because if I don’t do my personal development and get my intentions right for the day, I am not as good of a Mom to my kids. I am more stressed and anxious. So I make the hard choice and get up early no matter what so it creates a better day for my family and I. But, some nights I will go to bed early to catch up on sleep.
SHARE this blog post if it helped you! If you want more help with time blocking, check out this IG TV video!
