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Time-Blocking: Your Method to Supercharge Productivity & Reach Your Goals
Have you ever felt like there’s just not enough time in the day...? For those of us with dreams and goals that we long to see accomplished in our lives, this frustration can be all-too-common. We find ourselves extremely busy, yet still, we struggle to find time for even the tasks we deem most important or the activities that bring us the most joy. When we talk about productivity, the conversation often goes to time management. "How can we manage our time better?" But what if I told you that the secret to productivity was actually not managing your time, but managing your focus? "Time Blocking" is a tool to help you do just that. It has been utilized in some form by some of the most accomplished individuals, including Benjamin Franklin, Bill Gates, Gary Keller, and Elon Musk. Time-Blocking provides the method & mindset you need to win your day. It can help you to manage large tasks, reduce daily distractions, and complete your To-Do list in less time. If you find yourself dealing with stress in your business or work, then it could be that you simply need a system that will allow you to manage all that's on your plate. This method will provide you with a detailed framework for planning your daily, monthly, and yearly objectives. Time-Blocking is a skill that can be used in both business and personal time management. It will allow you to achieve greater focus in your life and reach your highest goals! Are you ready to start Time-Blocking? TABLE OF Introduction SECTION The Time-Blocking Mindset Chapter 1: Maintain Single-Focus Chapter 2: Determine Your Essentials Chapter 3: Achieve More by Doing Less Chapter 4: Plan to Recharge Chapter 5: Take Back Control of Your Time SECTION The Time-Blocking Method Chapter 6: Macro-Blocking Chapter 7: Micro-Blocking Chapter 8: Day-Blocking (Part I) Chapter 9: Day-Blocking (Part II) Final Thoughts Also, see 'The Time-Blocking Day Planner,' available on Amazon, or at timeblockingbook.com.
152 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 2, 2021
434 people are currently reading
298 people want to read
About the author
Luke Seavers
4 booksLuke is a creative at heart, with a love for writing, music, film, and design. But it is his purpose of serving and empowering the poor that drives him in all of his endeavors.
He and his wife spent time living abroad in Haiti, and eventually founded the non-profit, Home For The Nations. Today, they continue to work amongst impoverished communities there.
These combined passions led Luke into the world of entrepreneurship, starting and building multiple businesses over time. These ventures have not only allowed him to put his creative marketing skills to good use, but also provided a means to give back and continue to advocate for the least of these.
But, in wearing so many hats, the need for managing his time–and more importantly, his focus–led him to discover the productivity method known as "Time-Blocking." In sharing this powerful tool, it is Luke's hope that this book is able to empower other world changers to achieve greater focus in their work and life, and ultimately, accomplish their greatest goals and dreams.
He and his wife spent time living abroad in Haiti, and eventually founded the non-profit, Home For The Nations. Today, they continue to work amongst impoverished communities there.
These combined passions led Luke into the world of entrepreneurship, starting and building multiple businesses over time. These ventures have not only allowed him to put his creative marketing skills to good use, but also provided a means to give back and continue to advocate for the least of these.
But, in wearing so many hats, the need for managing his time–and more importantly, his focus–led him to discover the productivity method known as "Time-Blocking." In sharing this powerful tool, it is Luke's hope that this book is able to empower other world changers to achieve greater focus in their work and life, and ultimately, accomplish their greatest goals and dreams.
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
January 11, 2021
Everyone struggles with just not enough time in the day to complete everything you want to get done right? Seems there is just not enough time in the day. But actually that’s not at all the problem.
The author talks about the time blocking method and how you can learn to focus your time better using this method. This book is great, full of information to keep you on track. Get your life back! Find your focus.
The author talks about the time blocking method and how you can learn to focus your time better using this method. This book is great, full of information to keep you on track. Get your life back! Find your focus.
July 4, 2023
HIGHLIGHTS:
1. Aim for a meaningful life, using productivity as your vehicle.
- The secret to productivity is not managing your time but managing your FOCUS.
- Time-Blocking is your game plan for effectively managing not just your time, but, more importantly, your focus. It will allow you to achieve new levels of productivity and reach your highest goals.
- We can get used to our busyness and feel a sense of accomplishment in it, without actually getting anything of value done.
- Learn to manage our focus, and the rest will follow.
2. REST:
- As soon as you write down a task, your mind is able to relax because it no longer has to do the work of remembering that task. You can take your mind off of it and focus better on the task at hand.
- To have the fullest amount of focus and be our most productive selves, we must plan to recharge.
- When we don’t rest our minds frequently, our productivity gradually suffers as the day goes on.
- Take a break. This acts as a reset button for your brain.
3. FOCUS
- Most of today’s work requires a lot of concentration, and that “focus energy” slowly gets depleted due to those hours of intense labor.
- Limit the amount of time we spend on activities that involve communication.
4. Macro-Blocking is the form of Time-Blocking where we designate larger segments of time to a single focus. These spans of time can be anywhere from a few days to an entire year.
5. Macro-Blocking is about committing your overall focus on a single goal.
- I began booking my client projects in advance and blocking off specific weeks on my calendar to work with them.
6. LIMITATIONS:
- Time-Blocking Method works is actually due to the very fact that it limits you.
- When given a shorter amount of time to do something, all of a sudden, we are forced to be more resourceful.
- Some of the most creative solutions and innovations have been developed because of the constraints their innovators had to work within.
- Time-Blocking can actually serve as the mechanism to get you into that state of flow, even when you are initially not feelin’ it.
- It often requires us to strip away all the fluff and focus in on doing only what is essential for completing that task. We don’t have extra time to overthink, second guess, or make it perfect. Instead, we come away with a result that is perfectly adequate.
7. Small Dreamers are better at focusing on the here-and-now and are more conservative in their goal setting because they are more realistic.
8. Day-Blocking is fairly simple.
- It involves a daily planning ritual, using an hour-by-hour calendar, and diagraming literal blocks across the hours or minutes you wish to Time-Block.
- Eliminate unnecessary decision-making from the equation.
- The key is to plan breaks in accordance with the amount of time worked.
- Plan your breaks as a transition between from one task to the next.
- I have set aside only thirty minutes, twice a day—once before lunch and once before quitting time—for checking email and other miscellaneous communication
9. Your “one thing” is the big domino that, once knocked down, will cause all of the other dominos to fall into place.
- Leverage the peak of your focus energy by doing the task first. It recognizes that your energy is going to deplete over the course of the day.
- Plan an activity you can look forward to.
10. Don’t forget to utilize your timer.
- The whole system falls apart without this tool because you need some sort of trigger to let you know it’s time to stop what you’re doing and move on to the next block.
1. Aim for a meaningful life, using productivity as your vehicle.
- The secret to productivity is not managing your time but managing your FOCUS.
- Time-Blocking is your game plan for effectively managing not just your time, but, more importantly, your focus. It will allow you to achieve new levels of productivity and reach your highest goals.
- We can get used to our busyness and feel a sense of accomplishment in it, without actually getting anything of value done.
- Learn to manage our focus, and the rest will follow.
2. REST:
- As soon as you write down a task, your mind is able to relax because it no longer has to do the work of remembering that task. You can take your mind off of it and focus better on the task at hand.
- To have the fullest amount of focus and be our most productive selves, we must plan to recharge.
- When we don’t rest our minds frequently, our productivity gradually suffers as the day goes on.
- Take a break. This acts as a reset button for your brain.
3. FOCUS
- Most of today’s work requires a lot of concentration, and that “focus energy” slowly gets depleted due to those hours of intense labor.
- Limit the amount of time we spend on activities that involve communication.
4. Macro-Blocking is the form of Time-Blocking where we designate larger segments of time to a single focus. These spans of time can be anywhere from a few days to an entire year.
5. Macro-Blocking is about committing your overall focus on a single goal.
- I began booking my client projects in advance and blocking off specific weeks on my calendar to work with them.
6. LIMITATIONS:
- Time-Blocking Method works is actually due to the very fact that it limits you.
- When given a shorter amount of time to do something, all of a sudden, we are forced to be more resourceful.
- Some of the most creative solutions and innovations have been developed because of the constraints their innovators had to work within.
- Time-Blocking can actually serve as the mechanism to get you into that state of flow, even when you are initially not feelin’ it.
- It often requires us to strip away all the fluff and focus in on doing only what is essential for completing that task. We don’t have extra time to overthink, second guess, or make it perfect. Instead, we come away with a result that is perfectly adequate.
7. Small Dreamers are better at focusing on the here-and-now and are more conservative in their goal setting because they are more realistic.
8. Day-Blocking is fairly simple.
- It involves a daily planning ritual, using an hour-by-hour calendar, and diagraming literal blocks across the hours or minutes you wish to Time-Block.
- Eliminate unnecessary decision-making from the equation.
- The key is to plan breaks in accordance with the amount of time worked.
- Plan your breaks as a transition between from one task to the next.
- I have set aside only thirty minutes, twice a day—once before lunch and once before quitting time—for checking email and other miscellaneous communication
9. Your “one thing” is the big domino that, once knocked down, will cause all of the other dominos to fall into place.
- Leverage the peak of your focus energy by doing the task first. It recognizes that your energy is going to deplete over the course of the day.
- Plan an activity you can look forward to.
10. Don’t forget to utilize your timer.
- The whole system falls apart without this tool because you need some sort of trigger to let you know it’s time to stop what you’re doing and move on to the next block.
September 2, 2023
หนังสือ Time Blocking - Your Method to Supercharge Productivity & Reach Your Goals โดย คุณ Luke Seavers คือหนังสือที่สอนเทคนิคการวางตารางงาน อารมณ์ตารางสอนสมัยเราเป็นนักเรียนครับ ปกติผมก็ใช้เทคนิคนี้ในการจัดตารางงานหรือตารางอ่านหนังสืออยู่แล้ว ซึ่งหลายคนบางจะเคยได้ยินอีกชื่อคือ Timeboxing ส่วนคนดังๆ ที่ใช้อาทิ Bill Gates และ Elon Musk ครับ
เริ่มต้นจากกฎ 5 ข้อสำหรับการทำ Time-Block ครับ
(1) Maintain Single-Focus
(2) Determine Your Essentials
(3) Achieve More by Doing Less
(4) Plan to Recharge
(5) Take Back Control of your Time
นอกจากนี้สิ่งที่หนังสือเล่มนี้ยังแนะนำอีกนะครับ คือเราต้องแบ่งการวางแผนเป็น 3 ระยะเริ่มจาก
(1) Macro - Blocking
(2) Micro - Blocking
(3) Day - Blocking
อารมณ์แผนระยะยาว ระยะสั้นนั่นเองครับ แล้วนำแนวคิด Reverse Engineering มาใช้กับการวางแผน
ส่วนใน Time Blocking ที่เรา Block ไว้สำหรับงานนั้นต้องมีเพียงงานที่สำคัญไม่เกิน 3 งานเท่านั้น (Three Eessential Tasks) ให้นึกถึงหนังสือ Eat that frog (เริ่มต้นด้วยงานที่ยากสุดก่อน = กินกบตัวใหญ่ๆ ตอนเช้า) ครับ ส่วน Block อื่นๆ ก็เป็นไปได้หมดครับ ทั้งอาบน้ำ ทานข้าวและที่สำคัญเวลาพักเราก็จะ Block มันไว้ เราจะเรียกแผน Time Blocking เหล่านี้ว่า Ideal Day หรือ Ideal Week แน่นอนว่ามันอาจจะมีธุระด่วนหรือสิ่งที่คาดไม่ถึงเกิดขึ้นอยู่แล้ว ขึ้นอยู่กับว่าตัว Task ที่เรา Block ไว้กับสิ่งที่เกิดขึ้นไหนสำคัญกับเรากว่ากัน แล้วถามตัวเองว่า "if i don't get this task done, will the world really end?" ครับ
สุดท้ายหนังสือเล่มนี้ก็เป็นหนึ่งในหนังสือ Productivity สายบริหารเวลาครับ และอยากจะฝากสิ่งที่ผู้เขียนบอกเป็นการทิ้งทวนนะครับ "Productivity is a journey, not a destination"
เริ่มต้นจากกฎ 5 ข้อสำหรับการทำ Time-Block ครับ
(1) Maintain Single-Focus
(2) Determine Your Essentials
(3) Achieve More by Doing Less
(4) Plan to Recharge
(5) Take Back Control of your Time
นอกจากนี้สิ่งที่หนังสือเล่มนี้ยังแนะนำอีกนะครับ คือเราต้องแบ่งการวางแผนเป็น 3 ระยะเริ่มจาก
(1) Macro - Blocking
(2) Micro - Blocking
(3) Day - Blocking
อารมณ์แผนระยะยาว ระยะสั้นนั่นเองครับ แล้วนำแนวคิด Reverse Engineering มาใช้กับการวางแผน
ส่วนใน Time Blocking ที่เรา Block ไว้สำหรับงานนั้นต้องมีเพียงงานที่สำคัญไม่เกิน 3 งานเท่านั้น (Three Eessential Tasks) ให้นึกถึงหนังสือ Eat that frog (เริ่มต้นด้วยงานที่ยากสุดก่อน = กินกบตัวใหญ่ๆ ตอนเช้า) ครับ ส่วน Block อื่นๆ ก็เป็นไปได้หมดครับ ทั้งอาบน้ำ ทานข้าวและที่สำคัญเวลาพักเราก็จะ Block มันไว้ เราจะเรียกแผน Time Blocking เหล่านี้ว่า Ideal Day หรือ Ideal Week แน่นอนว่ามันอาจจะมีธุระด่วนหรือสิ่งที่คาดไม่ถึงเกิดขึ้นอยู่แล้ว ขึ้นอยู่กับว่าตัว Task ที่เรา Block ไว้กับสิ่งที่เกิดขึ้นไหนสำคัญกับเรากว่ากัน แล้วถามตัวเองว่า "if i don't get this task done, will the world really end?" ครับ
สุดท้ายหนังสือเล่มนี้ก็เป็นหนึ่งในหนังสือ Productivity สายบริหารเวลาครับ และอยากจะฝากสิ่งที่ผู้เขียนบอกเป็นการทิ้งทวนนะครับ "Productivity is a journey, not a destination"
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 21, 2025
Luke Seavers’ Time-Blocking is a practical and insightful guide for those struggling to manage their time effectively. The book does an excellent job of shifting the focus from simply scheduling tasks to managing focus, emphasizing that true productivity is about doing the right things, not just being busy.
Seavers lays out a structured and actionable approach, introducing the Five Rules of Time-Blocking, which help readers eliminate distractions, prioritize essential tasks, and take back control of their schedules. The book’s clarity and straightforward advice make it a great tool for professionals, entrepreneurs, and anyone looking to break free from the cycle of busyness.
However, one drawback is the recurring references to the accompanying daily planner, which at times make it feel like the book is incomplete without it. If the planner is freely available, it wasn’t easy to find, which might leave some readers feeling like they’re missing a key piece of the system. That said, the core principles of Time-Blocking remain valuable even without the planner, making this book a worthwhile read for anyone looking to improve their time management and productivity.
Seavers lays out a structured and actionable approach, introducing the Five Rules of Time-Blocking, which help readers eliminate distractions, prioritize essential tasks, and take back control of their schedules. The book’s clarity and straightforward advice make it a great tool for professionals, entrepreneurs, and anyone looking to break free from the cycle of busyness.
However, one drawback is the recurring references to the accompanying daily planner, which at times make it feel like the book is incomplete without it. If the planner is freely available, it wasn’t easy to find, which might leave some readers feeling like they’re missing a key piece of the system. That said, the core principles of Time-Blocking remain valuable even without the planner, making this book a worthwhile read for anyone looking to improve their time management and productivity.
April 10, 2021
A decent read
You can probably guess the gist of the book from the title, but if you’re needing to generate some time management self discipline this is a reasonably motivating and easy read. Some of the details around process are useful although general concepts should not be completely alien to most readers. This is a fairly light and quick read but ultimately useful. A minor grievance are the very occasional bible quotes which in my view don’t belong in a non-fiction book (no offence). There are also a few syntax / spelling errors but don’t let my pedantry prevent you from reading and implementing the books suggestions.
You can probably guess the gist of the book from the title, but if you’re needing to generate some time management self discipline this is a reasonably motivating and easy read. Some of the details around process are useful although general concepts should not be completely alien to most readers. This is a fairly light and quick read but ultimately useful. A minor grievance are the very occasional bible quotes which in my view don’t belong in a non-fiction book (no offence). There are also a few syntax / spelling errors but don’t let my pedantry prevent you from reading and implementing the books suggestions.
June 22, 2023
It really helped me out
I recently found out what a burn out is and let me tell you something it does not feel good. You feel terrible about yourself and you wouldn't really have the motivation to do anything
I wasn't really getting things done and I decided to find out what's going on with me.
I was scrolling through kindle ,saw this book and I started reading it
Let me tell you something I have never felt so optimistic in my life
This book really helped me out and I can't wait to put these ideas to work. Luke Seavers my guy I love you man keep it up and thank you.
I recently found out what a burn out is and let me tell you something it does not feel good. You feel terrible about yourself and you wouldn't really have the motivation to do anything
I wasn't really getting things done and I decided to find out what's going on with me.
I was scrolling through kindle ,saw this book and I started reading it
Let me tell you something I have never felt so optimistic in my life
This book really helped me out and I can't wait to put these ideas to work. Luke Seavers my guy I love you man keep it up and thank you.
November 13, 2023
Great Introduction & Overview of Time-Blocking!
This book is a fantastic introduction to the practice of time-blocking. It’s short enough to read in an afternoon, and it’s full of practical advice to help time-blocking newbies like myself get started right away. I look forward to implementing the ideas & advice I learned from this book and look forward to developing my own time-blocking habit!
This book is a fantastic introduction to the practice of time-blocking. It’s short enough to read in an afternoon, and it’s full of practical advice to help time-blocking newbies like myself get started right away. I look forward to implementing the ideas & advice I learned from this book and look forward to developing my own time-blocking habit!
February 23, 2021
Very helpful in directing our focus towards our most important tasks which are chosen based on our yearly goals. Our yearly goals are based on our life goals. Luke breaks it down very nicely and ensures all our tasks are adding up and helping us achieve our ultimate goals which grants us fulfilment day by day.
July 2, 2021
Was a good bool
It was a good book to gain a general understanding of productivity and planning. It was centered mainly on the planner that went along with this book. Although the author encouraged to use whatever you have at hand, it was somewhat difficult to follow of you don't own the planner. Overall, it was very informative.
It was a good book to gain a general understanding of productivity and planning. It was centered mainly on the planner that went along with this book. Although the author encouraged to use whatever you have at hand, it was somewhat difficult to follow of you don't own the planner. Overall, it was very informative.
September 11, 2022
I think the most essential part of this book was Time Blocking Mindset
maybe you should find some tools to how to block your time on Youtube or blogs like me
but the milestone of this book was the first part that persuaded you Time blocking is a mindset of managing your focus, not your time
I recommend everybody to this book
I read it in only two days :))
it's a really short book if you want to change your life
maybe you should find some tools to how to block your time on Youtube or blogs like me
but the milestone of this book was the first part that persuaded you Time blocking is a mindset of managing your focus, not your time
I recommend everybody to this book
I read it in only two days :))
it's a really short book if you want to change your life
February 22, 2025
It's a good idea but a bit too repetitive. Gives many instructions to time-block but it seemed like it failed to consider a bit of time for unplanned tasks each day for relief and being practical, instead it tried to plan every hour of the day with something. But it's a good read and we can improvise on it.
May 27, 2021
If you've read about time blocking in the past, this book probably doesn't offer too much new in terms of content. It was a good reminder for me, however, about focus and minimizing the times I task-switch.
November 15, 2021
REALLY EFFECTIVE | TIME BLOCK TO STOP TIME.
The method is really effective today marks two weeks on dilligent efforts outlined in this book. Highly recommended. You can change your life after reading this.
The method is really effective today marks two weeks on dilligent efforts outlined in this book. Highly recommended. You can change your life after reading this.
January 23, 2022
It’s not time management but focus management - brilliantly put by the author. A simple read with practical steps to get things done. It’s a no brainer with lot of practical tips like macro, micro time blocking. A must-read for people who always say “I don’t have time” or “I am always busy”.
December 20, 2022
Very interesting
This book is broken down into sections and makes it easy to understand how time blocking works. I will be trying it as I find myself doing something for hours without a break.
This book is broken down into sections and makes it easy to understand how time blocking works. I will be trying it as I find myself doing something for hours without a break.
January 10, 2024
If you are novice in productivity management, you'll find many nuggets of wisdom which you can apply right away. Though anyone familiar with entire gamut of productivity will find less useful information or rehash of something existing. Still worth a read (and a smaller one)!
July 5, 2021
Great read
I enjoyed the book. I would recommend it to anyone struggling to complete their goals and unsure how to be more productive.
I enjoyed the book. I would recommend it to anyone struggling to complete their goals and unsure how to be more productive.
December 21, 2021
Interesting and helpful ideas
I tend to want to work on several things at once with no main focus and scattered results. This helps me use my energies effectively.
I tend to want to work on several things at once with no main focus and scattered results. This helps me use my energies effectively.
January 13, 2022
Really good primer on time-blocking and other productivity lessons
April 3, 2023
This book contains life-changing advices. Not to be followed in every tiny detail probably, but I certainly recommend to read it.
April 14, 2023
great refesher managing time. Alot i knew or forgot.
April 19, 2023
Was so excited for this book, but couldn’t bring myself to finish it
June 29, 2023
Read Deep Work or Indistractable if you want to read something on this topic.
July 19, 2023
interesting
October 11, 2023
Three things that I can summarise from this book -
1. Pick 3 things to do in a day
2. Block your time to do these 3 things
4. Even plan your personal things
1. Pick 3 things to do in a day
2. Block your time to do these 3 things
4. Even plan your personal things
March 7, 2024
Interesting, I had never heard of so many kinds of blocking. It was educational. Good Read! I tried to put a 4.5 but I could not do half the star.
May 9, 2024
helpful book and approach
I found Luke’s book to be pragmatic, helpful, and to the point.
I’ve implemented many ideas already and feel a lot more productive and less overwhelm.
I found Luke’s book to be pragmatic, helpful, and to the point.
I’ve implemented many ideas already and feel a lot more productive and less overwhelm.
May 10, 2025
Great book! The author explained the time blocking method throughly from macro blocking to micro blocking and how bigger life goals can be turned into weekly and daily goals. A number of productivity authors and YouTubers use this method in combination with others. I recommend it!
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews