Have you ever experienced task paralysis? That feeling of overwhelm that occurs due to the multitude of tasks stacked onto your plate, leaving you stuck and uncertain of where to begin? As a mom, chances are you are feeling inundated with all the things – work, kids, home, etc. It is a lot to juggle, but there are tools that you can implement to manage all that burden. With the right systems in place, you can feel more at peace and able to manage all of life’s responsibilities. And what is the secret strategy to effective time management? Time blocking.
What is time blocking?
Time blocking is a productivity technique where your daily tasks are segmented into “blocks”. A sample block schedule may include: a morning routine block (daily movement, bible time, breakfast, etc.), a work block, a mid-day break block, and finally a block dedicated to tasks around the home.
Personally, I like to keep my time block chunks to 1-2 hours, to avoid spending too much time focused on one particular task. However, the beauty of time blocking is that there is flexibility built in. Every day may look a little different, so blocks can be shifted or moved as needed.
A lack of boundaries leads to burnout
Setting boundaries is something most moms struggle with, myself included. It can oftentimes feel like one task bleeds into the next, resulting in a feeling of being “incomplete”. This leads to frustration, which if not channeled properly can cause a lot of harm, both to you and your family.
Women are sometimes given the descriptor of being great “multitaskers”. At its root, this is not such a great thing. Frankly, multitasking becomes a defense mechanism used to “manage” all our responsibilities. However, the result is usually low energy and exhaustion, which are things easily solved with time blocking.
time blocking protects your peace
When your mind is set on a particular goal, the inclination is hyperfixation. I know I’ve been guilty of this! You can get lost in the work, which leads to burnout. When you time block, you avoid burnout because an allocated time is set for each particular task. This way, you know and can plan what needs to get done within each time segment. When the time block has elapsed, you then move on to the next task.
Time blocking is a mental strategy that helps you protect your peace, because there is defined clarity within your schedule. You know that during “x” time, you will be working on “y”, creating more balance. You prioritize what matters, instead of being pulled into a million different directions.
When done correctly, time blocking creates rest within your day. This is so crucial as a mom! There can often be guilt associated with taking a break, because of the stigma that being home is not actually “work” (which we know is not true!). However, when time is set aside to rest and recharge, it becomes a natural and critical part of our day. This leads to a happier and healthier mom for our loved ones. There is such joy and peace that comes with being fully present in all areas of life – whether we are working, taking care of our home, or spending time with those closest to us.
a faith-based approach to time blocking
In Ecclesiastes 3:1 the Bible says, “To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven.” Clearly, the concept of time blocking can be traced back to the Bible. God is telling us that we need to make sure that we are not spreading ourselves too thin by focusing on all the wrong things, which can lead to unnecessary stress. God wants us to feel balanced, at peace, and able in all situations.
When creating a faith-based time blocking schedule, clearly align your priorities with God. What do you want to be spending your time on? Where does your focus lie?
Keep your time blocking strategy simple to avoid overwhelm. Focus on your top three priorities, for example: self-care, home, and work. Next, decide what your time blocking span will be. For instance, I like to plan my “work day” between the hours of 8 am and 3 pm. Finally, assign each task to a particular 1-2 hour time chunk. Remember, rest is just as important as work, so make sure to schedule in moments to reset. Personally, I believe rest is the most important part of your schedule.
Time blocking is not about controlling our days, but rather about stewardship. We are being good stewards over the time God has given us. The Bible says, “number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom” (Psalm 90:12). Time is such a gift, so the best way we can honor God is by cherishing it to the fullest. Life is not about squeezing in more work, but rather about creating rhythms that reflect your priorities. Guard your time and peace. Use it to build up, not burnout.
