Do you ever feel like your calendar is running your life, rather than the other way around? If you’re constantly playing the “too busy” card or letting others fill up your diary with meetings, it might be time to try a new approach: timeboxing.

What is timeboxing?
Timeboxing is a simple but powerful way to manage your schedule. Instead of letting tasks and meetings pile up, you allocate specific blocks of time in your electronic calendar (like Outlook) for each activity. This means you know exactly when you’ll tackle each task, rather than just hoping you’ll find the time.

How does it work?
Here’s a quick rundown of the eight steps to successful timeboxing:

1. Use an electronic calendar to plan your week.
2. Break big projects into smaller, manageable tasks.
3. Estimate how much time each task will take—always allow a little extra!
4. Slot each task into your calendar, so everything has its place.
5. Start each task on time and hold yourself accountable.
6. Stay focused—turn off distractions like emails and social media during your timeboxed sessions.
7. When the time’s up, move on to the next task (even if you’re tempted to keep going).
8. Set up recurring blocks for regular activities, like checking emails or reviewing your week.

A handy tip: colour-code your calendar so you can see at a glance what’s coming up—work, personal time, emails, and so on. And don’t forget to build in some buffer time each week for those unexpected jobs that always pop up.

Why bother?
Timeboxing puts you back in control—not just of your diary, but of your whole working life. You’ll find it easier to deliver on your commitments, reduce stress, and make space for what really matters.

So, why not give timeboxing a go this week? You might be surprised at how much more productive (and less frazzled) you feel!

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