Take Back Your Time: How Time Blocking Can Help You Get More Done (without losing your mind!)
Struggling with a never-ending to-do list? Time blocking might be your secret weapon! In this post, I’ll share how time blocking helped me stay on track with both my client work and creative projects without burning out. Whether you're juggling a business, family, or both, time blocking can help you work smarter, not harder.
Emma Gifford
3/2/20252 min read
Hey there, fellow busy bee! Whether you’re running a business, wrangling kiddos, or juggling #AllTheThings, I see you. Some days, it feels like your to-do list is multiplying faster than you can check things off, am I right? That’s exactly where time blocking comes to the rescue! It’s like a superhero move for your schedule, helping you get stuff done without losing your mind in the process.
What the Heck is Time Blocking?
Time blocking is like giving your schedule a full-on makeover. Instead of jumping from one task to another in a whirlwind of chaos, you dedicate specific chunks of time to different activities. Think of it as putting your day into neat little boxes—one for emails, one for deep work, one for that glorious coffee break (yes, please). Honestly, time blocking is the only way I manage to get anything done for myself (like writing blog posts!) rather than just for my clients.
Why Time Blocking Is Basically Magic
Keeps You Focused – Forget the ping-pong effect of bouncing between tasks. One task at a time = way more gets done.
Cuts Down on Decision Fatigue – No more mindless "What should I do next?" decisions. You just follow the plan. Simple.
Helps You Set Boundaries – Work stays in its lane, personal time stays sacred, and you don’t feel like you’re always on the clock. Bonus: your clients will start to understand your rhythm and respect your time.
Holds You Accountable – Knowing you have a dedicated block of time for something? You’re much more likely to stick with it. No more procrastinating or distracting yourself!
How to Start Time Blocking (Without Overcomplicating It)
List Your Must-Dos – Work tasks, life stuff, self-care—everything goes on the list. The more detailed, the better.
Find Your Power Hours – Are you an early bird? A night owl? Figure out when you’re most productive and schedule your deep work during those power hours. For me, I hit a wall after lunch, so I’ve learned that getting my day started earlier helps me crush it.
Block It Out – Assign specific time slots for each task (like emails from 9-10 AM, creative work from 10-12 PM, etc.), and—here’s the key—stick to it. Yep, even time you don’t work. Freelancing means freedom, so don’t let yourself be chained to your desk all day long!
Schedule Breaks Too! – Seriously. I can’t stress this enough. Breaks are essential to avoid burnout. Grab a snack, stretch, or take a walk—you deserve it.
Roll With It – Life happens, so don’t stress if things don’t go as planned. Adjust your blocks as needed, but don’t completely ditch the system. Flexibility is key—remember, you’re your own boss, but people are still counting on you.
Time blocking isn’t about making your schedule rigid—it’s about working smarter, not harder. Whether you're running your own business, keeping the house in check, or a bit of both, this simple system helps you stay on top of things without feeling like you're drowning in your to-do list. Time blocking has helped me dedicate more energy to my own creative work and online presence, reminding me that my own business is just as important as anything else on my plate.
You’ve got this, boss! ◼️