Time blocking is a method where you divide your day into blocks of time, each dedicated to a specific task or group of tasks.
Instead of writing a to-do list and hoping you get to everything, you schedule your tasks on your calendar just like appointments. This builds in commitment, focus, and flow.
Elon Musk, for example, breaks his entire day into 5-minute time slots to increase efficiency. Cal Newport, author of Deep Work, credits time blocking as the cornerstone of his productivity. Even the late Stephen Covey, author of The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, emphasized the importance of putting “first things first” on your calendar.
Time blocking works because it forces you to:
- Be intentional about your time
- Eliminate multitasking
- Create accountability
- Build momentum through focus
The Eisenhower Matrix: Prioritize Like a President
Time blocking is most effective when paired with strong prioritization. Enter the Eisenhower Matrix — named after U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower, who famously said:
“What is important is seldom urgent and what is urgent is seldom important.”
This matrix helps you categorize your tasks into four quadrants:
| Urgency | Importance | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Urgent and Important | 🔥 Do it now | e.g., Project deadline, emergency calls |
| Important but Not Urgent | 🧠 Schedule it | e.g., Goal setting, exercise, learning |
| Urgent but Not Important | 📤 Delegate it | e.g., Routine emails, simple tasks |
| Not Urgent and Not Important | ❌ Eliminate it | e.g., Endless scrolling, junk tasks |
Before you block time on your calendar, run your task list through this filter. You’ll quickly realize that many “urgent” tasks are just distractions in disguise.
Step-by-Step: How to Build a Time Blocked Day
Let’s turn theory into action. Here’s how to block your time like a pro:
- List Your Tasks — Do a brain dump of everything you need to do today or this week.
- Use the Eisenhower Matrix — Classify each task and eliminate or delegate what you can.
- Batch Similar Tasks — Group emails, calls, errands, or content creation into single blocks.
- Assign Time Blocks — Use a calendar (digital or paper) to assign a time for each task group.
- Schedule Breaks & Buffers — Don’t forget to rest. Overstuffing leads to burnout.
- Stick to the Block — When it’s time to write, write. When it’s time to rest, rest.
- Review & Adjust — No plan is perfect. Review what worked and tweak daily.
Example: A Day in the Life with Time Blocking
Jane is a freelance graphic designer and mom of two. She used to feel overwhelmed every day. After trying time blocking, here’s her new weekday routine:
| Time | Task |
| 6:00 AM – 7:00 AM | Morning routine, devotion, exercise |
| 7:00 AM – 8:30 AM | Family breakfast + school run |
| 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM | Deep work: client design projects |
| 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM | Lunch + short nap |
| 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM | Emails, client calls, revisions |
| 2:30 PM – 3:00 PM | Break + phone scroll (guilt-free!) |
| 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM | Content planning, blog writing |
| 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM | Dinner + wind-down with kids |
She gets more done in fewer hours and ends her day feeling satisfied, not drained.
Best Tools for Time Blocking (Free + Paid)
You don’t need a fancy system to start, but tools can make it easier:
📅 Google Calendar
Free and perfect for beginners. Create color-coded blocks. Sync across devices.
📓 Notion
Highly customizable for daily/weekly planning, journaling, and goal tracking.
📲 Trello + Calendar Power-Up
Great for visual thinkers and project-based workflows.
⏰ Clockify or Toggl
Track actual time spent and compare it with your plan. Spot time leaks!
📚 Paper Planners
Still powerful. Writing things down improves commitment and memory.
Real People, Real Results
“Time blocking has completely changed how I run my business. I used to jump from task to task. Now, I close my laptop by 5 PM with work actually DONE.” — Blessing, Lagos-based entrepreneur
“I started using the Eisenhower Matrix and time blocks during my final year at university. My grades shot up and I even launched my side hustle before graduation.” — Samuel, student and founder of StudyFlowNG
These are not isolated stories. They’re repeatable results.
Final Thoughts: Take Back Control
Time blocking is more than a calendar trick. It’s a mindset shift. It’s about living on purpose instead of reacting all day.
If you want to achieve more, stress less, and live with intention, time blocking can help you get there. Not someday — today.
Try it for one week. Just one. Watch what happens.
And remember: it’s not about doing more things — it’s about doing the right things with your time.
What Next?
- Share your experience with us using #HussleTimeTips
- Subscribe to HussleTips for more life-changing productivity hacks
Let’s build better days together — one block at a time.
