{"id":64736,"date":"2022-08-29T14:36:32","date_gmt":"2022-08-29T06:36:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.mindvalley.com\/?p=64736"},"modified":"2025-10-22T14:33:35","modified_gmt":"2025-10-22T13:33:35","slug":"time-blocking","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mindvalley.com\/blog\/time-blocking\/","title":{"rendered":"Stop writing to-do lists, try time blocking instead"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Get milk, check. Pay bills, check. Call mom, check\u2026 Goodness gracious, it seems like that to-do list is a never-ending one. And when you\u2019ve check, check, checked, it seems like there are even more things to add on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This is where <strong>time blocking <\/strong>can help. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">So leave to-do lists for your grocery run. Instead, explore how this method is far more effective in managing your tasks and time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-what-is-time-blocking\">What is time blocking?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A standard to-do list tells you what needs to be done, but time blocking tells you when you\u2019re going to do it. It\u2019s based on <a href=\"https:\/\/link.springer.com\/referenceworkentry\/10.1007\/978-1-4419-1005-9_1710\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">implementation intentions<\/a>, which is simply taking your intentions and implementing them into action.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It\u2019s a great tool to use for those who:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Juggle multiple projects or have many different responsibilities<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Have meetings throughout the day<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Get sidetracked often with emails, text messages, and social media<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">With this <a href=\"https:\/\/www.prospectivepsych.org\/sites\/default\/files\/pictures\/Gollwitzer_Implementation-intentions-1999.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">well-researched technique<\/a>, you divide the day into blocks of time\u2014hence the name &#8220;time blocking.&#8221; Each block is dedicated to accomplishing a specific task and <em>only<\/em> that task. For example, if you block off 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. to write your book, then writing\u2019s the <em>only<\/em> thing you do in that block.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">So why is time blocking important?&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">While to-do lists help you see your tasks visually and allow them to seem more manageable, time blocking helps you be more task-focused in your <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.mindvalley.com\/daily-routine\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">daily routine<\/a>. It\u2019s a tool that ensures you do the things that matter and ignore the things that don\u2019t.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-time-management-variations\">Time management variations<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There are other techniques that are close cousins to time blocking: task batching, day theming, and timeboxing. Here\u2019s the gist of each time management method:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table is-style-stripes\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Method<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>What Is It?<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Example<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Time blocking<\/td><td>You divide your day into blocks of time.<\/td><td>&#8220;<em>I will work on the first chapter every day from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.<\/em>&#8220;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Task batching<\/td><td>You group smaller tasks that contribute to larger goals, working on them for a specific amount of time or until you complete a certain number of tasks.<\/td><td>&#8220;<em>I will work on the first chapter at 9 a.m.<\/em>&#8220;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Day theming<\/td><td>Essentially just a more advanced version of task batching.<\/td><td>&#8220;<em>Every Monday, I will do research for my book; every Tuesday, I will write an outline for a chapter; every Wednesday, I will write a chapter; etc.<\/em>&#8220;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Timeboxing<\/td><td>You allocate a fixed time period to a planned activity.&nbsp;<\/td><td>&#8220;<em>I will finish writing the first chapter between 9 a.m. and 10 a.m. tomorrow.<\/em>&#8220;<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-time-blocking-vs-timeboxing\">Time blocking vs. timeboxing<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Time blocking is often used synonymously with timeboxing, the method that habit-forming expert <strong>Nir Eyal <\/strong>highly endorses in his best-selling book, <em>Indistractable: How to Control Your Attention and Choose Your Life<\/em> (which inspired Mindvalley to create the <strong><em>Becoming Focused and Indistractable<\/em> Quest<\/strong>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">However, it\u2019s important to note the difference:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Time blocking. <\/strong>It\u2019s essentially taking your to-do list and setting a specific task&#8217;s start and end times. It helps with planning your day to handle all the important tasks on your agenda. For example, if you\u2019re writing a book, your time block will be \u201c<em>working on a first draft of the first chapter from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. tomorrow.<\/em>\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Timeboxing.<\/strong> You set a limit on how much time you dedicate to a specific task, which is typically attached to a goal. It helps keep you running on schedule and <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.mindvalley.com\/nir-eyal-on-how-to-finally-stop-procrastinating-and-become-indistractable\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">become indistractable<\/a>. With the book example, your timeboxing will be \u201c<em>finishing a first draft of the first chapter tomorrow between 9 a.m. and 10 a.m.<\/em>\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">While timeboxing is a technique used by successful people like Elon Musk, Bill Gates, Nir Eyal, and even the founder of Mindvalley, Vishen, time blocking is still a wonderful way to get the most from your daily schedule.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/mv-prod-blog-en-assets\/2022\/08\/time-blocking-Mindvalley_Nir_ColossalPro__W6A43679.jpg\" alt=\"Nir Eyal, trainer of Mindvalley's Becoming Focused and Indistractable Quest, teaching lessons on time blocking\" class=\"wp-image-64739\" srcset=\"https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/mv-prod-blog-en-assets\/2022\/08\/time-blocking-Mindvalley_Nir_ColossalPro__W6A43679.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/mv-prod-blog-en-assets\/2022\/08\/time-blocking-Mindvalley_Nir_ColossalPro__W6A43679-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/mv-prod-blog-en-assets\/2022\/08\/time-blocking-Mindvalley_Nir_ColossalPro__W6A43679-736x491.jpg 736w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/mv-prod-blog-en-assets\/2022\/08\/time-blocking-Mindvalley_Nir_ColossalPro__W6A43679-442x295.jpg 442w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Nir Eyal, trainer of Mindvalley&#8217;s <em>Becoming Focused and Indistractable<\/em> Quest<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-does-time-blocking-really-work\">Does time blocking really work?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Using a time-blocking planner gets you to step away from multi-tasking and helps you focus on one task at a time. It helps you plan your day in advance according to <em>your<\/em> values and schedule.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Here are a few studies that show why time blocking works:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>A <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/abs\/pii\/S0747563218303303\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">2018 research<\/a> looked into imposing time pressure to reduce distractions. It found that \u201c<em>those under high time pressure exhibited a lower task distraction rate.<\/em>\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>In a <a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/14596707\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">study<\/a> published in the <em>British Journal of Health Psychology<\/em>, participants were asked to perform 20 minutes of exercise. It found that only 34% of them exercised that day when they didn&#8217;t plan it. However, when the intention was set into a plan, the follow-through rate increased to 91%.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A <a href=\"https:\/\/scholar.harvard.edu\/files\/todd_rogers\/files\/beyond_good_intentions_-_prompting_people.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">review paper<\/a> in <em>Behavioral Science &amp; Policy<\/em> points out that people are more likely to carry out their tasks when they\u2019re scheduled. The researchers wrote, \u201c<em>Prompting people to make concrete and specific plans makes people more likely to act on their good intentions.<\/em>\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Without the organization of time blocking, there\u2019s a high potential we\u2019ll fall into what\u2019s known as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.economist.com\/news\/1955\/11\/19\/parkinsons-law\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Parkinson\u2019s law<\/a>: \u201c<em>Work expands so as to fill the time available for its completion.<\/em>\u201d It simply means that the more time you have to complete a task, the more time it\u2019ll take you to actually do it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-how-to-use-time-blocking\">How to use time blocking<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you\u2019re familiar with to-do lists, time blocking should be a breeze. Taking inspiration from Nir\u2019s expertise on being &#8220;indistractable,&#8221; here\u2019s a simple step-by-step to set up your own time-blocking planner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-1-identify-your-values\">1. Identify your values<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In his book, Nir explains that the opposite of distraction is traction. He writes, \u201c<em>Traction draws you towards what you want in life, while distraction pulls you away.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Oftentimes, we get distracted from being <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.mindvalley.com\/how-to-get-in-flow\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">in the flow<\/a> because we don\u2019t make time for the things we value, especially our relationships and our Self. However, when we identify our values, it creates traction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There are three domains where we spend our time: You, Relationships, and Work. And as Nir suggests, identify your values in these categories. For example, in the &#8220;you&#8221; domain, it could be really important for you to have a self-love routine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201c<em>In order to live our values in each of these domains, we must reserve time in our schedules to do so,<\/em>\u201d he points out. \u201c<em>Without planning ahead, it\u2019s impossible to even tell the difference between traction and distraction.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-2-write-down-a-list-of-things-to-do\">2. Write down a list of things to do<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Once you\u2019ve identified your values, write down a to-do list that encompasses these principles. It would be a list of things you\u2019d want to do because they\u2019re important to you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Let\u2019s go back to the &#8220;you&#8221; example. If a self-love routine helps your well-being, then a to-do task would maybe include getting a massage once a week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">More importantly, writing down your to-do\u2019s gives you a clear outline of the bigger picture. And that\u2019ll help motivate you to keep you moving forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-3-create-a-start-block-and-an-end-block\">3. Create a start block and an end block<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It\u2019s time to create your blocks. But before you start plugging in tasks, it\u2019s a good idea to start with guardrails so that you know how you\u2019ll start your morning and how you\u2019ll end your day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">What\u2019s your morning routine? And how do you want to wrap up your day before going to bed?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">An example of the &#8220;you&#8221; domain, you could block off your morning with <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.mindvalley.com\/yoga-will-boost-productivity\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">yoga<\/a> to boost productivity for the rest of the day. And for the &#8220;relationship&#8221; domain, for instance, you could end the day with a movie with your family before calling it a night.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This will also ensure that you put your personal life at the forefront.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/mv-prod-blog-en-assets\/2022\/08\/time-blocking-calendar-canva-01.jpg\" alt=\"Calendar for time blocking the start and end of the day\" class=\"wp-image-64748\" srcset=\"https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/mv-prod-blog-en-assets\/2022\/08\/time-blocking-calendar-canva-01.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/mv-prod-blog-en-assets\/2022\/08\/time-blocking-calendar-canva-01-768x410.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-4-add-blocks-for-deep-and-shallow-tasks\">4. Add blocks for deep and shallow tasks<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Now, you can start blocking off time in your day for all those other tasks on your to-do list.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For most, work takes up a chunk of the weekdays. If this applies to you, too, then try to chop it off into sessions instead of plugging in a block called &#8220;At Work.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You can split it up into a balance of deep tasks (like writing, designing, coding, etc.) and shallow tasks (planning your day, taking a lunch break, etc.). Whatever works best for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For the days you\u2019re not at work, deep tasks could include cleaning the house or taking the kids to the movies. And shallow tasks could include taking the dog for a walk or making dinner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/mv-prod-blog-en-assets\/2022\/08\/time-blocking-calendar-canva-02.jpg\" alt=\"Time blocking the calendar for deep and shallow tasks\" class=\"wp-image-64747\" srcset=\"https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/mv-prod-blog-en-assets\/2022\/08\/time-blocking-calendar-canva-02.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/mv-prod-blog-en-assets\/2022\/08\/time-blocking-calendar-canva-02-768x410.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-5-add-blocks-for-reactive-tasks\">5. Add blocks for reactive tasks<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Don\u2019t forget about the emails to answer, calls to take, meetings to attend, social media to check, and so on and so forth. These are all considered reactive tasks\u2014regular or routine tasks that need to be done.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">These are the kinds of duties that can often lead to distraction if you\u2019re attending to them throughout the day. However, with time blocking, you can choose <em>when<\/em> you do these tasks, which can help you take back the power you have over your time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/mv-prod-blog-en-assets\/2022\/08\/time-blocking-calendar-canva-03.jpg\" alt=\"Time blocking calendar for reactive tasks\" class=\"wp-image-64746\" srcset=\"https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/mv-prod-blog-en-assets\/2022\/08\/time-blocking-calendar-canva-03.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/mv-prod-blog-en-assets\/2022\/08\/time-blocking-calendar-canva-03-768x410.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-bonus-reflect-and-refine\">Bonus: Reflect and refine<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sometimes, something happens that can throw your whole schedule out of whack. It\u2019s just life, and it happens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Nir advises revising your schedule regularly. He mentions in his book that \u201c<em>the goal is to figure out where your schedule didn\u2019t work out in the prior week so you can make it easier to follow the next time around.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When you commit to this practice, it improves your time blocking over time. This will help you better understand the difference between traction and distraction, enabling you to identify them for every moment of the day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-great-changes-start-with-you\">Great changes start with you<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Time blocking is one of the many great methods for time management. And it can absolutely help you be more in control of your time, focus, and productivity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you want to learn more about how to be indistractable like Nir Eyal, head over to Mindvalley. As a Member, you have full access to transformational programs like the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mindvalley.com\/focus\/?utm_source=blog_inline_link&amp;utm_campaign=evergreen_bfai&amp;utm_medium=end_of_article&amp;otag=mv_blog_bfai\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong><em>Becoming Focused and Indistractable<\/em><\/strong><\/a> Quest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You\u2019ll also have a &#8220;front row seat&#8221; to live interviews with great thought leaders on Mindvalley Talks. And not only that, you\u2019ll be surrounded by like-minded individuals who are also on their journey of self-discovery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This is a place you find yourself. A place where you awaken your unstoppable. A place where you become indistractable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Welcome in.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Sure, to-do lists are helpful. But there\u2019s a better method, according to habit-forming expert Nir Eyal, for getting things done. It\u2019s called time blocking. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9,"featured_media":64737,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[25],"tags":[3303],"series":[],"area-of-growth":[3410],"outcome":[3457],"featured":[3811],"coauthors":[329],"class_list":["post-64736","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-career","tag-becoming-focused-and-indistractable","area-of-growth-productivity","outcome-time-management","featured-op5-en"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.6 (Yoast SEO v27.6) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Stop Writing To-Do Lists, Try Time Blocking Instead<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Sure, to-do lists are helpful. But there\u2019s a better method, according to habit-forming expert Nir Eyal, for getting things done. It\u2019s called time blocking.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mindvalley.com\/blog\/time-blocking\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Stop Writing To-Do Lists, Try Time Blocking Instead\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Sure, to-do lists are helpful. But there\u2019s a better method, according to habit-forming expert Nir Eyal, for getting things done. It\u2019s called time blocking.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.mindvalley.com\/blog\/time-blocking\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Mindvalley Blog\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/mindvalley\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2022-08-29T06:36:32+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-10-22T13:33:35+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/mv-prod-blog-en-assets\/2022\/08\/time-blocking-pexels-rodnae-productions-8580728.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1200\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"800\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Tatiana Azman\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@mindvalley\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@mindvalley\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.mindvalley.com\\\/blog\\\/time-blocking\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.mindvalley.com\\\/blog\\\/time-blocking\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Tatiana Azman\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.mindvalley.com\\\/blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/8df61b207975784974e1376cb83a0004\"},\"headline\":\"Stop writing to-do lists, try time blocking instead\",\"datePublished\":\"2022-08-29T06:36:32+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-10-22T13:33:35+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.mindvalley.com\\\/blog\\\/time-blocking\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":1724,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.mindvalley.com\\\/blog\\\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.mindvalley.com\\\/blog\\\/time-blocking\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/storage.googleapis.com\\\/mv-prod-blog-en-assets\\\/2022\\\/08\\\/time-blocking-pexels-rodnae-productions-8580728.jpg\",\"keywords\":[\"Becoming Focused and Indistractable\"],\"articleSection\":[\"Career\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.mindvalley.com\\\/blog\\\/time-blocking\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.mindvalley.com\\\/blog\\\/time-blocking\\\/\",\"name\":\"Stop Writing To-Do Lists, Try Time Blocking Instead\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.mindvalley.com\\\/blog\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.mindvalley.com\\\/blog\\\/time-blocking\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.mindvalley.com\\\/blog\\\/time-blocking\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/storage.googleapis.com\\\/mv-prod-blog-en-assets\\\/2022\\\/08\\\/time-blocking-pexels-rodnae-productions-8580728.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2022-08-29T06:36:32+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-10-22T13:33:35+00:00\",\"description\":\"Sure, to-do lists are helpful. But there\u2019s a better method, according to habit-forming expert Nir Eyal, for getting things done. It\u2019s called time blocking.\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.mindvalley.com\\\/blog\\\/time-blocking\\\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.mindvalley.com\\\/blog\\\/time-blocking\\\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.mindvalley.com\\\/blog\\\/time-blocking\\\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/storage.googleapis.com\\\/mv-prod-blog-en-assets\\\/2022\\\/08\\\/time-blocking-pexels-rodnae-productions-8580728.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/storage.googleapis.com\\\/mv-prod-blog-en-assets\\\/2022\\\/08\\\/time-blocking-pexels-rodnae-productions-8580728.jpg\",\"width\":1200,\"height\":800,\"caption\":\"Woman time blocking her calendar on a board\"},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.mindvalley.com\\\/blog\\\/time-blocking\\\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"home\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/blog.mindvalley.com\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Stop writing to-do lists, try time blocking instead\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.mindvalley.com\\\/blog\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.mindvalley.com\\\/blog\\\/\",\"name\":\"Mindvalley Blog\",\"description\":\"Der Herzschlag des pers\u00f6nlichen Wachstums\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.mindvalley.com\\\/blog\\\/#organization\"},\"alternateName\":\"Mindvalley Blog\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.mindvalley.com\\\/blog\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.mindvalley.com\\\/blog\\\/#organization\",\"name\":\"Mindvalley Blog\",\"alternateName\":\"Mindvalley Blog\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.mindvalley.com\\\/blog\\\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.mindvalley.com\\\/blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/storage.googleapis.com\\\/mv-prod-blog-en-assets\\\/2022\\\/02\\\/cropped-MV_NEW_LOGO.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/storage.googleapis.com\\\/mv-prod-blog-en-assets\\\/2022\\\/02\\\/cropped-MV_NEW_LOGO.jpg\",\"width\":512,\"height\":512,\"caption\":\"Mindvalley Blog\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.mindvalley.com\\\/blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\"},\"sameAs\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.facebook.com\\\/mindvalley\\\/\",\"https:\\\/\\\/x.com\\\/mindvalley\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.instagram.com\\\/mindvalley\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.linkedin.com\\\/company\\\/mindvalley\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.pinterest.com\\\/mindvalley\\\/\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.youtube.com\\\/channel\\\/UCg3F5jxUrSvJQICen48cX4w\"]},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.mindvalley.com\\\/blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/8df61b207975784974e1376cb83a0004\",\"name\":\"Tatiana Azman\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/storage.googleapis.com\\\/mv-prod-blog-en-assets\\\/2024\\\/04\\\/89d73682-tatiana-azman-wp-avatar-96x96.webp8479a5eaec0501525219994bba714e8f\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/storage.googleapis.com\\\/mv-prod-blog-en-assets\\\/2024\\\/04\\\/89d73682-tatiana-azman-wp-avatar-96x96.webp\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/storage.googleapis.com\\\/mv-prod-blog-en-assets\\\/2024\\\/04\\\/89d73682-tatiana-azman-wp-avatar-96x96.webp\",\"caption\":\"Tatiana Azman\"},\"description\":\"Tatiana Azman is Mindvalley's SEO content editor, covering everything from the science of human connection to peak performance, parenting, relationships, and beyond. As a certified life coach and trained journalist, she merges scientific curiosity with sharp storytelling across every topic the Mindvalley Blog explores. Her expertise is shaped by a journalism background, years in the wellness space, and the fire-forged insight of a cancer experience.\",\"sameAs\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/tatianaazman.framer.website\\\/\",\"https:\\\/\\\/my.linkedin.com\\\/in\\\/tatianaazman\"],\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.mindvalley.com\\\/blog\\\/author\\\/tatiana-azman\\\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO Premium plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Stop Writing To-Do Lists, Try Time Blocking Instead","description":"Sure, to-do lists are helpful. But there\u2019s a better method, according to habit-forming expert Nir Eyal, for getting things done. It\u2019s called time blocking.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/www.mindvalley.com\/blog\/time-blocking\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Stop Writing To-Do Lists, Try Time Blocking Instead","og_description":"Sure, to-do lists are helpful. But there\u2019s a better method, according to habit-forming expert Nir Eyal, for getting things done. It\u2019s called time blocking.","og_url":"https:\/\/www.mindvalley.com\/blog\/time-blocking\/","og_site_name":"Mindvalley Blog","article_publisher":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/mindvalley\/","article_published_time":"2022-08-29T06:36:32+00:00","article_modified_time":"2025-10-22T13:33:35+00:00","og_image":[{"width":1200,"height":800,"url":"https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/mv-prod-blog-en-assets\/2022\/08\/time-blocking-pexels-rodnae-productions-8580728.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"Tatiana Azman","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_creator":"@mindvalley","twitter_site":"@mindvalley","schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/www.mindvalley.com\/blog\/time-blocking\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.mindvalley.com\/blog\/time-blocking\/"},"author":{"name":"Tatiana Azman","@id":"https:\/\/www.mindvalley.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/8df61b207975784974e1376cb83a0004"},"headline":"Stop writing to-do lists, try time blocking instead","datePublished":"2022-08-29T06:36:32+00:00","dateModified":"2025-10-22T13:33:35+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.mindvalley.com\/blog\/time-blocking\/"},"wordCount":1724,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.mindvalley.com\/blog\/#organization"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.mindvalley.com\/blog\/time-blocking\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/mv-prod-blog-en-assets\/2022\/08\/time-blocking-pexels-rodnae-productions-8580728.jpg","keywords":["Becoming Focused and Indistractable"],"articleSection":["Career"],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.mindvalley.com\/blog\/time-blocking\/","url":"https:\/\/www.mindvalley.com\/blog\/time-blocking\/","name":"Stop Writing To-Do Lists, Try Time Blocking Instead","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.mindvalley.com\/blog\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.mindvalley.com\/blog\/time-blocking\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.mindvalley.com\/blog\/time-blocking\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/mv-prod-blog-en-assets\/2022\/08\/time-blocking-pexels-rodnae-productions-8580728.jpg","datePublished":"2022-08-29T06:36:32+00:00","dateModified":"2025-10-22T13:33:35+00:00","description":"Sure, to-do lists are helpful. But there\u2019s a better method, according to habit-forming expert Nir Eyal, for getting things done. It\u2019s called time blocking.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.mindvalley.com\/blog\/time-blocking\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/www.mindvalley.com\/blog\/time-blocking\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.mindvalley.com\/blog\/time-blocking\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/mv-prod-blog-en-assets\/2022\/08\/time-blocking-pexels-rodnae-productions-8580728.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/mv-prod-blog-en-assets\/2022\/08\/time-blocking-pexels-rodnae-productions-8580728.jpg","width":1200,"height":800,"caption":"Woman time blocking her calendar on a board"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/www.mindvalley.com\/blog\/time-blocking\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"home","item":"https:\/\/blog.mindvalley.com\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Stop writing to-do lists, try time blocking instead"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/www.mindvalley.com\/blog\/#website","url":"https:\/\/www.mindvalley.com\/blog\/","name":"Mindvalley Blog","description":"Der Herzschlag des pers\u00f6nlichen Wachstums","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.mindvalley.com\/blog\/#organization"},"alternateName":"Mindvalley Blog","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/www.mindvalley.com\/blog\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.mindvalley.com\/blog\/#organization","name":"Mindvalley Blog","alternateName":"Mindvalley Blog","url":"https:\/\/www.mindvalley.com\/blog\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.mindvalley.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/mv-prod-blog-en-assets\/2022\/02\/cropped-MV_NEW_LOGO.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/mv-prod-blog-en-assets\/2022\/02\/cropped-MV_NEW_LOGO.jpg","width":512,"height":512,"caption":"Mindvalley Blog"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.mindvalley.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"},"sameAs":["https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/mindvalley\/","https:\/\/x.com\/mindvalley","https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/mindvalley","https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/company\/mindvalley","https:\/\/www.pinterest.com\/mindvalley\/","https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCg3F5jxUrSvJQICen48cX4w"]},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.mindvalley.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/8df61b207975784974e1376cb83a0004","name":"Tatiana Azman","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/mv-prod-blog-en-assets\/2024\/04\/89d73682-tatiana-azman-wp-avatar-96x96.webp8479a5eaec0501525219994bba714e8f","url":"https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/mv-prod-blog-en-assets\/2024\/04\/89d73682-tatiana-azman-wp-avatar-96x96.webp","contentUrl":"https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/mv-prod-blog-en-assets\/2024\/04\/89d73682-tatiana-azman-wp-avatar-96x96.webp","caption":"Tatiana Azman"},"description":"Tatiana Azman is Mindvalley's SEO content editor, covering everything from the science of human connection to peak performance, parenting, relationships, and beyond. As a certified life coach and trained journalist, she merges scientific curiosity with sharp storytelling across every topic the Mindvalley Blog explores. Her expertise is shaped by a journalism background, years in the wellness space, and the fire-forged insight of a cancer experience.","sameAs":["https:\/\/tatianaazman.framer.website\/","https:\/\/my.linkedin.com\/in\/tatianaazman"],"url":"https:\/\/www.mindvalley.com\/blog\/author\/tatiana-azman\/"}]}},"lang":"en","translations":{"en":64736},"pll_sync_post":{},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mindvalley.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/64736","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mindvalley.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mindvalley.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mindvalley.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/9"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mindvalley.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=64736"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.mindvalley.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/64736\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mindvalley.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/64737"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mindvalley.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=64736"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mindvalley.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=64736"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mindvalley.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=64736"},{"taxonomy":"series","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mindvalley.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/series?post=64736"},{"taxonomy":"area-of-growth","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mindvalley.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/area-of-growth?post=64736"},{"taxonomy":"outcome","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mindvalley.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/outcome?post=64736"},{"taxonomy":"featured","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mindvalley.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/featured?post=64736"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mindvalley.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=64736"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}