The most important time- management technique noone told you about

After reading this article, you’ll learn:

1. What is the Timeboxing?

2. How to use it in your daily life.

“I’m unable to focus on one task at a time“

“I can’t find a way to get important things done“.

“Why does my mind feel like a monkey, jumping around all the time?“

If this feels like you, something needs to change in the way you work. A simple tool to help is called Timeboxing.

The concept was first introduced by James Martin, the author of the book Rapid Application Development.

Timeboxing is a highly- effective productivity & time management technique which works due to it’s simplicity: Blocking your calendar for a fixed time to work on 1 task.

That’s it.

Say you’re working in office and have these 4 open tasks.

1. Complete appraisal

2. Submit report to boss

3. Analyze warranty return

4. Mail engineering team

Instead of staring at this all day and wondering what to do when, what you should do is just open your calendar, and block some time for each important / urgent task.

This helps because:

• You can focus on a single task.

• You have a set time & place for each task.

• You’re not focussing on the task - you’re guarding your time.

I want to make this better. So I throw my tasks into an Eisenhower Matrix and then I block my calendar for the most urgent/ important tasks.

How to implement in your life

To get started, just follow this simple, 4 - step process:

1. Make your to- do list:

   When you’re done for the day, make a list of what you want to accomplish tomorrow. This way you can attack the day when it begins.

2. Transfer to an Eisenhower Matrix (Optional):

   By doing this you get to focus on what’s really important/ urgent (and also eliminate some tasks). The above link explains more (and you also get a free template!). You can skip if you’re not interested

3. Book a slot in your calendar:

   For your urgent/ important tasks. Preferably 30 minutes at least. If your task will take more than 30 minutes, you can take a small break in between / schedule another 30 minutes at a different time / day.

4. Get stuff done!:

   When it’s time, stop what you’re doing, and begin working on the planned task.

I’m sharing as this simple technique has transformed the way I work. I’m now more focussed & able to get more done in less time!

As with anything new, experiment and see what works for you. 30- minute slots may be too short/ long for you. Or you might not be able to focus as you might keep getting interrupted. But I guarantee that once you adjust and implement this tool, you will see a vast improvement.

Let me know if this helps. And if so, share the article with your friends and family.

Further reading

• Elon Musk’s Time Management Technique: Timeboxing.

• Timeboxing: Why It Works and How to Get Started in 2023.