The Beginners Guide to Block Scheduling
Keep it Simple Silly.
I started block scheduling in college, and it’s a skill I am forever (at least on this side of eternity) grateful for. Block scheduling keeps my head clear when things get overwhelming.
Here’s my simple steps to get started:
Write a big, long TO-DO list of EVERYTHING you can think of that is your responsibility. This list can include everything from going to work, to washing your hair, or from picking up the kids, to spending play time with them. Just write it all down to get it out of your brain and onto paper first.
Next, use Microsoft Excel to create a table with 7 columns for each day of the week, and 24 rows that will serve as 30-minute time slots in a 12-hour day. The 24 time slots should start from the time you wake up, and end around the time you typically fall asleep. (i.e. If you wake up at 6:30 am, and go to bed around 2:30am, then feel free to add extra slots, but I would recommend you work on a different nighttime routine if that’s your current situation!)
After you have Sunday-Monday labeled across the top of your 7 columns, and your 30-minute time slots are labeled down the side of your 24 rows, you can now begin to “block” any fixed time commitments you have. To do this, label and highlight time slots for each activity you cannot change, such as waking up, going to work/class, eating lunch, leaving work/class, picking up the kids, going to sleep, etc. To make your block schedule easier on the eyes, color code each activity.
Next, add flexible time commitments. These are the tasks you want to do at particular times, or you tell yourself you need to do, but you technically don’t have to do them at the same time every week. This may include things like studying, going grocery shopping, calling extended family members, or doing volunteer work.
Here’s the fun part… schedule a Mental Health Day! Or just schedule intentional self care, such as washing your hair, journaling, going to the gym, and other things that you enjoy, but also take time. (For my mental and spiritual health, I have scheduled a full 24-hour day every week with NOTHING planned. Over the years, I learned to love it!)
Leave empty slots empty… Trust me, you will appreciate this later! Even if it is just a 30-minute slot between getting home from work and going to the grocery store, you will appreciate knowing that you have the cushion of time for whatever your heart desires (like a power nap!).
Be intentional, be organized, and be wise. You are just one person, with one body, and one life. You can do everything you desire to do, but you have to do it all in DUE time. Trust the process!