Productivity experiment: Timeboxing

For 2023, I did not make big resolutions. Instead I am going for small improvements.

One of them is around time management and especially “timeboxing”. 

I have to say, consulting, advising and teaching are putting me back in the driver seat of my calendar - which is such a treat. But then the pressure is on me to make the best out of it and be smart about my goals and how I spend time.

I finally paid attention to the concept of timeboxing, after listening to the latest podcast of Nir Eyal, called “Not Enough Hours in the Day To Slay Your To-Do List” and decided to give it a try.

Its simplicity is what makes it powerful.

This is how I use it so far:

• I first prioritize high level categories: I have been using a Hi/Hu framework for a long time, aka a 2x2 matrix with high impact/high urgency axes. 

• I list tasks, keeping the list as tight as possible

• I don’t try to estimate accurately the time each will take. Instead I create blocks of time dedicated to one activity at the time. I find it easier to use the clock on my phone to track my time allocation instead of putting tasks in a calendar. 

• Once the allocated time is over, I stop, stretch and reflect on it. Did I achieve as much as I was planning? How should I do it next time? Do I need a new block?

  Having time blocked is helping push a lot of small distractions away and not worrying too much about the completion of a given task but appreciating the progress.

  I know it’s an iterative process and I am starting really small, but so far I like it.