Utilizing Time Blocking for Daily Tasks

Time is the one non-renewable resource we all have. Studies show that leaders who effectively manage time are 60% more likely to achieve business goals. In the early days, I used to be buried in work, struggling to catch up. Time felt like sand slipping through my fingers. Here’s how I reclaimed my time as a founder of a personal branding agency with five critical steps: 1. Ruthless Prioritization: Focused only on high-impact tasks that aligned with long-term goals, letting go of non-essentials. 2. Delegation: Empowered my team to handle more, freeing up my time for strategic decisions. 3. Tech Tools: Leveraged automation and productivity tools to streamline operations. 4. Boundary-Setting: Set firm limits on my availability, protecting time for what matters most. 5. Scheduling Downtime: Planned regular breaks to recharge, ensuring sustained productivity. These habits didn’t just increase my output—they made me a better leader. Remember: Time is like a river—you can’t stop it, but you can direct its flow. Start today and transform your entrepreneurial journey! #entrepreneurship #founders #productivity #strategy #goals

Most people spend 80% of their time on the wrong type of work. (here's how to fix it): I discovered there are 4 types of professional time—and the balance between them determines whether you're stuck in place or building something extraordinary. For years, I was drowning in meetings, calls, and emails. Busy all day but never making real progress. Then I mapped out where my time actually went. The 4 types: Management Time (Red): Meetings, emails, presentations. The stuff that fills most calendars. Creation Time (Green): Writing, building, coding. Where actual work gets done. Consumption Time (Blue): Reading, learning, listening. Where new ideas are planted. Ideation Time (Yellow): Thinking, journaling, walking. Where breakthroughs happen. Here's the reality check: Color code your calendar for one week. Most people discover 80% is red—pure management time bleeding across every day. Creation gets squeezed into tiny gaps. Consumption and ideation? Basically non-existent. This is why you feel stuck. The activities that create 10x outcomes: creation, consumption, and ideation, get zero dedicated space. Here are three fixes that changed everything for me: 1. Batch Management Time Create 1-3 blocks daily for emails and meetings. Keep the red contained instead of letting it spread like wildfire. 2. Protect Creation Time Block it on your calendar. Turn off notifications. This is where your best work happens. 3. Schedule Consumption & Ideation Start with one hour weekly for each. History's most successful people all made space for reading and thinking. There's a reason. The truth? Your calendar reveals your future. If it's all management, you'll manage. If you make space for creation and thinking, you'll build. Watch the full breakdown to optimize your professional time.

I've tried 100s of time management techniques.  This is by far my favourite: I used to work 80 hrs/week and call it "productive." When really I was: - Attending pointless meetings - Fighting countless small fires - Being involved in every decision Now I work less than 70% the time and get 4x as much done. The Eisenhower Matrix helped me get there.  It teaches you to categorise tasks by importance and urgency. Here's how it works: 1. Do It Now (Urgent + Important) Examples: - Finalise pitch deck before investor meeting tomorrow. - Fix website crash during peak customer traffic. - Respond to press interview request before deadline. Best Practices: - Attack these tasks first each morning with full focus. - Set a strict deadline so urgency fuels execution. 2. Schedule It (Important + Not Urgent) Examples: - Plan quarterly strategy session with leadership team. - Map long-term hiring plan for next 18 months. - Build a personal brand content system for LinkedIn. Best Practices: - Protect time blocks in advance. Never leave them floating. - Tie them to measurable outcomes, not vague intentions. 3. Delegate It (Urgent + Not Important) Examples: - Handle inbound customer service queries this week. - Organise travel logistics for upcoming conference. - Update CRM with latest sales call notes. Best Practices: - Build playbooks so your team executes without confusion. - Delegate with deadlines to avoid wasting time. 4. Eliminate It (Not Urgent + Not Important) Examples: - Tweak logo colour palette again for fun. - Attend generic networking events with no ICP fit. - Review endless “best productivity tools” articles. Best Practices: - Audit weekly. Cut anything that doesn’t compound long-term. - Replace low-value busywork with rest, thinking, or selling. If you are always reacting to what feels urgent,   You'll never focus on what matters. Attend to the tasks in quadrant 1 efficiently,  Then spend 60-70% of your time in quadrant 2.    That's work that actually builds your business. Which quadrant are you spending too much time in right now?  Drop your thoughts in the comments. My newsletter, Step By Step, breaks down more frameworks like this. It's designed to help you build smarter without burning out. 200k+ builders use it to develop better systems. Join them here:  https://lnkd.in/eUTCQTWb ♻️ Repost this to help other founders manage their time.  And follow Chris Donnelly for more on building and running businesses. 

You don’t need more time. You need these 10 principles. Most people waste their most precious resource: time. Not because they’re lazy. But because they’re drowning in noise. Most calendars are filled with guff. We survive (just) on autopilot. Meetings, Slack, email, rinse, repeat. It looks like progress. It feel productive. But it’s a mirage. Top performers don’t have more hours. They just get a better return for every hour they work. Productivity isn’t about doing more. It’s about using your time better. And getting better results - for you. It isn’t complicated. It just means showing up with intention. Here’s how great CEOs do it. And how you can too: 1/ Kill the autopilot Audit last week: noise vs real impact? 2/ Write down your top 3 goals If it doesn’t move you closer, cut  it or delegate it. 3/ Ask your boss what matters most Then spend your best hours there. 4/ Zero-base your calendar monthly Review every recurring meeting. Cut hard. 5/ Triage your week Urgent → Do first Priority → Block time Filler → Cut 6/ Start each day with 2 questions What must I do well today? What can I cut? 7/ Match deep work to high-energy times Protect your peak energy for your best work. 8/ Respect others’ time too Be early. Be clear. Be helpful. 9/ Track your ROI weekly What actually moved the needle? 10/ Own your outcomes Time is your leverage. Spend it like it matters. You don’t need to work more. You need to work on the right things. These principles won’t just protect your time - They’ll give you your life back. (PS — Got a productivity hack that works? Drop it below.) ♻️ Share to help someone take back their time. 💚 Follow for no bullsh*t advice that actually works

During a recent conversation with a dear friend Vivek Agrawal, a fascinating concept emerged that truly captivated me: the ROI of time. Have you ever considered the return on investment (ROI) of the time you spend each day? We often measure ROI in terms of money, but what about our most valuable resource – time? Why should we consider the ROI of time? 1.⁠ ⁠Time is finite: Unlike money, time is a limited resource. Once spent, it can never be regained. How are you spending your limited minutes and hours? 2.⁠ ⁠Prioritization: Evaluating the ROI of our time helps us prioritize tasks that provide the most value. What activities are truly worth your time? 3.⁠ ⁠Productivity boost: Focusing on high-ROI activities can significantly enhance productivity. Are you focusing on what truly matters? 4.⁠ ⁠Balanced life: Considering the ROI of time encourages a balanced approach, ensuring we allocate time to activities that promote well-being and happiness. Are you investing your time in things that bring you joy? Tips to maximize the ROI of your time: 1.⁠ ⁠Set clear goals: Define what you want to achieve in various areas of your life. 2.⁠ ⁠Evaluate activities: Regularly assess if your activities contribute to your goals. 3.⁠ ⁠Time blocking: Allocate specific time slots for high-ROI tasks. 4.⁠ ⁠Learn to say no: Not every opportunity is worth your time. 5.⁠ ⁠Continuous improvement: Regularly review and adjust how you spend your time. Example: I realized I was spending too much time on unproductive meetings. By cutting down unnecessary meetings and focusing on key projects, I can save several hours each week, which I can now use for strategic planning and personal growth. This shift will significantly improve the ROI of my time. Applying this mindset has been truly mesmerizing. It has not only improved my productivity but also brought a sense of balance to my life. What steps are you taking to maximize the ROI of your time? #ROIofTime #TimeManagement #Productivity #LifeBalance #PersonalGrowth

These 3 work blocks have changed my life! 👇 As an agency owner, it's easy to feel overwhelmed by the sheer volume of tasks that demand attention every day. From managing sales, operations, and administrative duties to developing strategies and creating content, the to-do list often seems endless. This constant juggling act can quickly lead to burnout if not managed effectively. I used to struggle with this until I discovered the power of time blocking—a technique that has significantly transformed the way I work. 💫 By dividing my day into specific blocks of time, I’ve been able to focus more effectively, reduce stress, and increase productivity. [1] Strategic Blocks: These are the most critical parts of my schedule. I allocate 3-4 hours for strategic blocks, usually at the beginning of the week. During these blocks, I focus on high-level strategy work, such as long-term planning, business development, and innovation. Research shows that working in focused time blocks can increase productivity by up to 80% because it minimizes distractions and allows for deep work (Cal Newport, Deep Work). [2] Buffer Blocks: Buffer blocks are shorter, typically around 1 hour per task, and are reserved for day-to-day operations and lower-level tasks. This includes responding to emails, attending meetings, and managing team communications. By grouping these tasks into dedicated time slots, I avoid the constant context switching that can reduce productivity by up to 40% (American Psychological Association). 3. Breakout Blocks: Breakout blocks are my secret weapon against burnout. Scheduled once a week for 2-3 hours, these blocks are designed to give me mental free time. Whether it's taking a walk, reading, or simply relaxing, this time is crucial for recharging. Studies suggest that taking regular breaks can improve mental clarity and creativity, reducing the likelihood of burnout (Harvard Business Review). By structuring my time into these blocks, I’ve been able to stay focused on what truly matters, maintain a healthy work-life balance, and prevent burnout. Time blocking has been a game-changer for my productivity and well-being, and I highly recommend it to anyone struggling with an overwhelming schedule. ⏱ #timemanagement

You don’t lead strategy by presenting slides. You lead it by making it real. In conversations, decisions, priorities, and actions. If presenting the strategy were enough, execution efforts wouldn’t fail so often. Because if your team doesn’t understand and internalize your strategy with a shared understanding they won’t be able to execute it. I see this happen too often. Here are 5 practices that show what it really takes to lead beyond the slide deck: 1. 🗣️ Alignment is about the conversation, not a presentation. Strategy comes alive when people talk about it, connect it to their role and get clear about what it means for their daily decisions. As a leader, your job is to create the form and forum-where people can ask, “What does this mean for me?” and “How do I connect this in my role?” 2. 🎯 Align every meeting to the strategy. Every meeting you attend should tie directly to advancing your strategy. Stretching to make the connection? Maybe you shouldn’t be in that meeting. Or maybe the meeting shouldn’t be happening at all. As David Packard, co-founder of Hewlett-Packard once said, “More companies die of indigestion than starvation.” Strategy requires focus. 3. 🛑 Ruthlessly cut or minimize non-strategic work. This one’s personally hard. Smart, creative people are great at justifying why their project or idea is critical to the company success. But clever doesn’t  equal strategic. Pet projects, zombie initiatives, legacy efforts? If it doesn’t clearly move the strategy forward, cut it. Edinger’s rule: 5 (±2). Big initiatives. That’s your strategic load limit. Focus your resources on advancing the efforts that make the greatest impact. 4. 🗓️ Do a weekly strategy audit for your calendar. Tom Peters said it best: “The calendar never lies.” Look at how you actually spent your time this week. Was the majority of your focused attention on moving strategic priorities forward? Or did you spend too much energy and time on tactical or less valuable activities? Be honest. Where does your time go? Evaluate and adjust. 5. 🤝 Contact one prospect or customer each day. Some may want to start with one per week. No matter your role, stay close to the market. Strategy is useless if you can’t connect it to your prospects and customers. One of the most strategic leaders I ever worked with, Bob Dutkowsky started nearly every day with a customer call. During his time as a CEO of Tech Data, the business grew from $20B to $37B. Pro tip: Don’t just talk to customers who already like you, make sure you engage with prospects who have made the choice to work with competitors. Even one conversation per week can surface insights no dashboard will. Which of these 5 shifts will you focus on this month? Drop your pick in the comments or share how you’re already putting it into practice. 👇 #LIPostingDayJune #TheGrowthLeader #Leadership #StrategyExecution

Desi Atomic Habit Tip #3: Master the Art of Time Blocking – Harness Your Day, Hour by Hour ⏰ "Samay ko niyantrit karo, samay tumhe niyantrit na kare." (Control time, don't let time control you.) In our fast-paced business world, mastering your time is crucial. Time blocking helps you take charge of your day, boosting focus and productivity. Actionable Steps: ✅ Prioritize Tasks: List your key responsibilities and rank them by importance. ✅ Allocate Blocks: Assign specific time slots to each task in your calendar. ✅ Minimize Distractions: During each block, focus solely on the assigned task. Here's how I've implemented time blocking in my entrepreneurial journey: 👉 Dedicated 'deep work' blocks for strategic planning and problem-solving. 👉 Set specific times for emails and meetings, preventing constant interruptions. 👉 Allocated time for learning and personal development, ensuring continuous growth. 🎯 Result: Increased productivity, better work-life balance, and more time for innovation and strategic thinking. Ready to supercharge your productivity? Your Time Blocking Challenge: This week, try blocking out your day in hourly segments. Assign each hour to a specific task or category of work. Share your experience below! How has effective time management impacted your professional growth? Let's exchange insights and tips! Stay tuned for more success-boosting habits in our Desi Atomic Habits series! #DesiAtomicHabits #TimeManagement #Productivity #EntrepreneurialSuccess #ProfessionalGrowth

⏱️ How I Handle Time Pressure and Get Things Done ✔️ • Time management is a vital skill that can help you achieve your goals and cope with stress. • As a business owner, I have learned to manage my time effectively by following these three tips: 1️⃣ Set SMART goals: SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. By using this criteria, I can set clear and realistic goals that motivate me and track my progress. For example, instead of saying “I want to grow my business”, I say “I want to increase my sales by 10% in the next quarter by launching a new marketing campaign and expanding my network”. 2️⃣ Prioritize my tasks: I use the Urgent-Important Matrix, also known as the Eisenhower Matrix, to prioritize my tasks. This tool divides my tasks into four quadrants, based on their urgency and importance. I focus on the tasks that are both urgent and important, and delegate or eliminate the tasks that are less important or urgent. 3️⃣ Plan my day: I create a schedule or a to-do list that outlines my tasks and activities for the day. I start with my most important or difficult task, and break it down into smaller and manageable steps. I estimate how much time each task will take, and set reminders or alarms for them. I also review and adjust my plan as needed, based on my performance and feedback. ✔️These tips have helped me handle time pressure and get things done. They have also helped me balance my work and personal life, which is important for my well-being. ✔️ I hope you found this article helpful and informative. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to share them below. Fabien Ghys #time_management #productivity #linkedin #tips

As a CTO who has successfully scaled AI and tech products, I’ve refined productivity strategies that can transform your leadership workflow and enhance your team’s output. If you’re leading in the tech industry, and grappling with overwhelming demands, the 3 targeted tactics I’m about to share are tailored for the unique challenges you face. My guiding principle each week is the 'Rule of Three': identifying three top priorities that serve as my North Star. These aren't just scribbled in a planner but physically placed on my office wall, a constant visual reminder of my core focus. This practice not only keeps me centered amidst the whirlwind of daily tasks but also ensures that every action is a step toward our most critical goals. Sharing these priorities with my direct reports does more than foster transparency — it aligns our efforts, synchronizes our strides, and forms the bedrock of our collective pursuit. It's a simple yet profoundly effective strategy that has continually steered us toward meaningful progress and impactful results. Next, time blocking has been a critical strategy. Carving out dedicated blocks for deep work, meetings, and even unexpected tasks allows me to create a rhythm amidst the chaos. This isn't just about sticking to a schedule; it's about allocating mental space and ensuring that high-priority projects get the uninterrupted attention they deserve. I always check each Friday that my time blocked schedule appropriately reflects the work I need to accomplish for my top three priorities. Lastly, I leverage automation and delegation. By automating routine tasks and delegating effectively, I maintain focus on what truly requires my expertise. It's not just about offloading work; it's about empowering my team by entrusting them with responsibilities that aid their growth while freeing me to lead more effectively. A framework I really like using is the Eisenhower matrix around categorizing work based on its urgency and importance. I try and focus as much of my work as I can on the important and urgent tasks. Implementing these strategies hasn’t just boosted my personal productivity; it sets a precedent for the whole team. When leaders manage their time effectively, it cascades down, fostering a culture of efficiency and clarity. Remember, in the world of tech and AI, where the ground shifts daily, these strategies aren't just nice-to-have—they're essential for survival and success. If you're leading in this space and looking to refine your approach to productivity, let's connect and share insights that propel us forward! #techleadership #productivitytools #teamleader