How to time block & organize your calendar! 🗓️
Up until I set up my Google Calendar and mastered time blocking, I struggled a LOT with time management. 😬 Now, I use my digital calendar religiously to plan my day and week.
This is personally one of my favorite productivity habits because it’s taken so much stress off my plate! I used to have so much decision fatigue trying to figure out what to do next. Scheduling my day like this has made it so much easier. 😌
How I set this up:
📋 Step 1: List out every task, to-do, and event that I have on my plate.
✏️ Step 2: Write out the following for each task:
• Whether they’re recurring or a one-time event
• Importance (low-high)
• Energy type & level (mental vs physical, low-high)
• Approximate time needed to complete
🗓️ Step 3: Go to Google Calendar and create separate calendars for each “life category” – I have the following calendars: personal, content, movement & health, Milo (my dog), social, and meetings. For each calendar, I like to personalize the colors to make it more fun!
⌛ Step 4: Start putting in time blocks for events and work blocks for completing to-dos. Put in non-negotiables first – for example, when I was working a 9-5, I would block out that time for work. Then, start scheduling in tasks and events in order of importance. I like to schedule all my high importance and high energy tasks for the morning because that’s when I have the most discipline to complete tasks. I have a time block to write for my blog and exercise each morning.
🔁 Step 5: Add in repeating to-dos and chores as tasks. For example, I like to have a reoccurring task to pay my credit card every Sunday. Having it as a task on my calendar also allows me to check it off, so that I can keep track of if I’ve completed it each week.
✴️ Step 6: Add in new events and tasks as they come up. The key to staying organized is keeping things up to date.
Each week, I like to reflect on how things went with my schedule and if there’s a better way to manage my time. I used to schedule working out for nighttime, but then I realized I’d be too tired at the end of the day to do it, so I moved it up. The most important part of this habit is that it works for my lifestyle and needs, so I’m always adjusting where needed!
How do you manage your time? 💛
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Hey everyone! So, you've heard about time blocking, but maybe you're wondering, 'time blocking là gì?' or 'what exactly is it?' Well, simply put, time blocking is a productivity method where you schedule every part of your day in blocks of time. Instead of just having a to-do list, you actually assign a specific chunk of time on your calendar to each task, meeting, or activity. It's like making appointments with yourself for everything you need to get done! For me, it's been a game-changer. Before, I'd just have a long list of tasks and jump from one to another, often getting distracted or feeling unproductive. Now, by setting aside dedicated 'color-coded time blocks' for specific work, I find I'm much more focused. It helps me avoid multitasking and ensures I allocate enough time for important tasks, rather than letting urgent but less important things take over. It truly helps 'ORGANIZE YOUR LIFE' and makes sure I'm working on the 'BEST TO-DOS' at the right time! Speaking of organization, a common question I get is 'how to change colors on google calendar on ipad' or on mobile devices. It's super easy and makes a huge difference in visual organization! Here’s how I do it: Open your Google Calendar app on your iPad or phone. Tap the three horizontal lines (menu icon) in the top left corner. Scroll down and find the calendar you want to change the color for under 'My Calendars' or 'Other Calendars'. These are your 'separate calendars for categories' that you've set up, like 'personal' or 'content'. Tap the three vertical dots next to the calendar name. Select 'Settings' or 'Choose color' (the exact wording might vary slightly). Pick your desired color from the options. There are usually plenty of vibrant choices! I love using distinct colors for 'listing tasks' related to different projects, it makes my weekly overview so clear. Color-coding isn't just for aesthetics; it's a powerful tool! When you quickly glance at your calendar, you can instantly see what type of activity you have next, whether it's work, a personal appointment, or a health block. It really helps with 'detailing each task' visually and understanding your day at a glance. I even use different shades for 'importance' levels within a category sometimes! Beyond just time blocking and colors, Google Calendar has other fantastic features that make it my go-to for 'scheduling' and 'planning'. I often use the 'Tasks' integration to keep my to-do list right alongside my schedule. You can set reminders for everything, which is a lifesaver for those recurring chores or important deadlines. Don't forget to explore different views too – day, week, month – to see what works best for your planning style. And if you're collaborating, sharing calendars can be incredibly helpful for team projects or family schedules. It’s all about finding what helps you master your time and reduce that 'decision fatigue' we all know too well! So, whether you're just starting with 'google calendar' or looking to refine your 'time blocking' strategy, remember to experiment and make it work for YOU. Happy scheduling!
This is actually way better than using Notion templates ❤️