With so much work piled up, it is not uncommon to accomplish very little yet feel drained after a long day. While a daily to-do list can be used to highlight the small tasks that need attention, it is just a beginner’s way to get things done. So, what’s the secret sauce behind leaders who work with thousands of people and have more work than we can imagine? Timeboxing is a time management technique that takes a slightly different approach compared to other methods. While timeboxing limits time for a given task, in other techniques, individuals complete one task and then move on to the next one. In conversation with AlignThoughts, Elinor Zetterblad, who is the Head of Practice Capgemini DCX Sweden, managing a team of 1200 people, says, “I try to book all the things ahead and follow my calendar. I also tend to set up some free time to clear up my mind and restart myself to make better decisions for the next meeting inline”.
Timeboxing through blocking the calendar with a schedule is how some of the C-level executives get through a busy day. By using timeboxing effectively, we can easily increase productivity levels, have more control of work, stay motivated. Due to the short amount of time set for the task, timeboxing technique also improves focus and efficiency.
What Is Timeboxing?
In short, timeboxing is a technique that allows you to plan your day and manage your time more effectively. It was first introduced by American psychologist Brian K.
Ground Rules to Cultivate The Habit of Timeboxing
- Make a to-do list
- Set aside time for important tasks such as making sure you eat breakfast and drink water before checking emails or social media.
- Before starting the workday, prioritize and schedule tasks in order of importance or urgency.
- Allocate a timebox for each task, meaning set a specific amount of time to focus on the tasks from the to-do list. Work on those tasks only during that given time or hour.
- Move on to the next task after the set time is completed.
- Plan your breaks to relax and get some fresh air.
- At the end of the day, reflect on what happened during the day and how it went overall. This can help to identify which areas need improvement or if something unexpected happened that impacted productivity during the day.
Why Use Timeboxing?
Timeboxing is a technique where the individual sets aside specific times of the day for specific activities.
The benefits of timeboxing are:
- It can be used to improve productivity and time management
- Since timeboxing blocks calendar time beforehand, it can help people develop a better work-life balance by prioritizing their personal life, family, friends, etc., after work.
- It allows you to set daily or weekly SMARTER goals that can be achieved within the allotted time box.
Where Did The Concept of Timeboxing Come From?
James Martin, the author of the book Rapid Application Development, developed this timeboxing technique as part of agile software development.
In a recent study of 100 productivity hacks by productivity experts, the most powerful technique was “timeboxing.”
What Is The Advantage of Timeboxing?
Timeboxing is a time management technique where you set aside specific periods of time for certain tasks.
There are many advantages of time boxing like:
- Avoids procrastination
- It helps prioritize what needs to be done and break bad habits
- Increases focus on the task at hand and reduce burnout
- Reduces stress levels by eliminating distractions and worries about everything else that’s going on in life
- Improves performance as it increases efficiency
So, How Does Timeboxing Work?
Timeboxing works by setting a fixed amount of time at any point in the day for attending to work, doing leisure, or watching TV, etc. This will ensure that one does not spend more time than necessary on a given task and also helps keep things manageable during busy periods.
The fixed period is called a box which can be from five minutes up to 24 hours depending upon personal preference and situation. It is important that you set aside only this prescribed time either.
Who Uses Timeboxing Technique?
Timeboxing is a technique used by many people to help them stay focused on their tasks and accomplish more. It’s not always easy to stay focused on tasks that seem daunting or overwhelming.
One of the best ways to do this is by using timeboxing, which is a process where you set specific periods of time for working on your task.
For example, if you’re studying for an exam, you might spend only one hour studying every day for five days. This allows you to keep track of how much progress you’ve made in your work over time and helps prevent burnout.
Executives use timeboxing technique to reduce stress, improve productivity and focus on their most important tasks. Some other people who use timeboxing technique are:
- Students use it to complete assignments within a limited amount of time
- Athletes use it as a way to set goals and break them down into small, actionable chunks of work that they can accomplish during the day
- Freelancers use it as a way to keep track of what they have accomplished for the day so that they can measure their progress towards reaching their goal for the week or month
GTD Methodology & Time Boxing
GTD is a time management system based on timeboxing that David Allen first introduced in his book “Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity.” It has been modified and improved by many people since then.
The essence of GTD is to separate tasks into:
- What needs to be done now
- What can be done later
- And what can’t be done at all
This helps to stay focused on the tasks that are important right now while letting go of other less important tasks.
Once get-it-done-now-tasks are identified, specific timeboxes for each task are allotted for a pre-determined length of time, so it stops procrastination.
Time Boxing Apps For Productivity
It is essential to understand the productivity and time management strategies to use them effectively. Here are some of the most popular apps that can help you.
1. RescueTime
This app tracks how much time you spend on specific activities like social media, email, browsing the web, etc. It also provides a detailed report on your productivity levels which can be used as a reference point for future planning.
Some of the common in-app features that are worth noting:
- Focus Mode – This feature allows you to block distracting websites or applications so you can stay focused on what’s important.
- Alerts – You can set up alerts in order to receive notifications when certain goals have been achieved, or there is an urgent need for your attention.
2. Asana
Asana is a tool that helps you manage tasks by breaking down projects into smaller pieces that can be completed in different ways. This helps with achieving deadlines and managing teams effectively.
Create your Asana account here
Time Management Apps For Mac Users
There are many time management apps available on the market. Here are some of the top time management apps for Mac that can help you manage your day effectively:
1. MindMeister
MindMeister is a well-known and highly effective project management tool with many features to help users manage their projects and stay organized.
2. Pomodoro Timeboxed Workflow
Pomodoro Timeboxed Workflow is an advanced productivity app designed to help users get more done in less time by breaking tasks into intervals and focusing on just one task at a time, for specific lengths of time or until they’re done.
3. Todoist Time Management App
Todoist offers a free personal task manager that syncs across devices to keep you focused and productive throughout the day without having to spend hours planning your work ahead of time.
Best Timeboxing Templates
There are many free timeboxing templates available on the internet. However, they vary in complexity and features.
Some of the best timeboxing templates are:
1. Basecamp
The easiest to use tool with all the features you need, including a fully customizable dashboard, unlimited projects, tasks, chat, video conferencing, and task management.
2. Trello
A web-based platform that lets you create boards for different tasks or projects. By using Trello, multiple team members can simultaneously access and manage boards.
It also has an email notification system that helps notify your team members about changes or updates within the project boards.
3. Google Calendar
Google calendar is a great choice for timeboxing. The app is available on both desktop and mobile devices as well as online via Google Drive and Gmail accounts, allowing users to:
- share calendars
- collaborate with other users
- manage time and tasks
Best Timeboxing Techniques
There are many timeboxing techniques. Some of the best ones are:
1. The Pomodoro Technique
The Pomodoro technique is a popular and effective time-management method involving a timer to break work into short periods of 25 minutes followed by short breaks (5-10 minutes).
2. The 4 Hour Work Week by Tim Ferriss
In this book ‘The 4 Hour Work Week’, Tim Ferriss discusses how to transform life by learning time management skills and making the most in less time to live a luxurious lifestyle.
3. The 8-Hour Segment
Divide the day into 8-hour segments and timebox them, with an hour break between each part other than sleeping time.
4. Calendar Method
Schedule tasks on your calendar and break them down into increments like 10 minutes or 1 hour.
5. Blocking Hours
Block out specific hours of the day for different types of work (e.g., morning hours for marketing emails, lunchtime for calls with clients).
A Word From AlignThoughts
Timeboxing is a proven way to help people manage their time better. It helps them become more productive and efficient, which results in a happier life and work. Many successful people, including Bill Gates, the CEO of Microsoft, use timeboxing as a tool to boost their productivity.
Timeboxing can be an effective tool for you too! In short, Timeboxing is a powerful productivity tool that can increase productivity, reduce distractions, and establish new healthy habits. Do you want to learn more about how it works? Then subscribe to our website and stay tuned to further updates!
Key Takeaways On Timeboxing Techniques To Improve Work And Personal Life Productivity
- Benefits of timeboxing – Timeboxing is an effective time management technique that, when used appropriately, can:
- Avoid procrastination
- Help in prioritization
- Increases focus and reduce stress levels
- Who uses timeboxing – Students, professionals, academics, and even C-level executives use timebox to get things done.
- Timeboxing techniques – There are many timeboxing techniques. One of the most widely used techniques is The Pomodoro Technique.
- Timeboxing for Work-life – Companies use timeboxing in agile principles, like Scrum, Sprints, and Retrospectives.
- Timeboxing for Personal Life – Timeboxing can also be used for personal life to study a course, get household chores done at a specific time, and also participate in health-related activities using timeboxes.
