TIME BLOCKING CAN HELP YOU KEEP YOUR SANITY

As a school leader, you are responsible for managing numerous tasks and projects that are essential to the success of your school community. With so much to do, it can be easy to become overwhelmed and lose track of time. This is where time blocking can help a school leader manage their time more efficiently and effectively.

What is time blocking?

Time blocking is a productivity technique that involves breaking your day down into blocks of time and assigning specific tasks to each block. The idea behind time blocking is to eliminate distractions and increase focus by dedicating specific periods of time to specific tasks. This helps you stay on track and make the most of your time.

How can time blocking help a school leader?

1. Prioritize tasks

As a school leader, you likely have many tasks on your plate, from managing staff to developing curriculum to communicating with parents. With so much to do, it can be difficult to determine which tasks are most important. Time blocking helps you prioritize your tasks by assigning them to specific blocks of time. By focusing on the most important tasks first, you can ensure that you are making the most of your time and staying on track.

2.  Manage time more efficiently

Time blocking helps you manage your time more efficiently by eliminating distractions and increasing focus. By dedicating specific periods of time to specific tasks, you can avoid multitasking and stay focused on the task at hand. This can help you complete tasks more quickly and effectively, freeing up time for other tasks or for personal time.

3. Reduce stress

School leaders experience a high level of stress on a regular basis. Time blocking can help reduce stress by providing a clear plan for the day. By knowing what tasks need to be completed and when, you can minimize feeling overwhelmed and reduce stress levels.

4. Improve work-life balance

School leaders often work long hours and have a difficult time balancing work and personal life. Time blocking can help you improve your work-life balance by ensuring that you are making time for both work and personal activities. By assigning specific blocks of time for work and personal activities, you can make sure that you are taking care of yourself while also getting your work done.

5. Increase productivity

Time blocking can increase your productivity by helping you stay focused and avoid distractions. By dedicating specific periods of time to specific tasks, you can ensure that you are making the most of your time and completing tasks more efficiently. This can lead to increased productivity and a greater sense of accomplishment.

It is often difficult for school leaders to have uninterrupted time; however, if you collaborate with your administrative assistant s/he can help "run interference" for you so that you can commit at least one or two blocks of time each day to specific work tasks.

If you are a building leader, I suggest starting with two 30-minute blocks each day - one in the morning and one in the afternoon.  Plan in advance what exactly you will work on during each block.  Turn off all notifications and seek to eliminate all other distractions.  

Your time blocks are time to work on priority tasks. Time blocking is a simple yet effective productivity technique that can help you manage your time more efficiently and effectively.