Are you like me and sometimes struggle to be productive? Do you tend to put things off until tomorrow? If that sounds familiar you might be interested in the timeboxing technique.<\/p>\n
Most people, when faced with a large number of tasks, tend to tackle them by writing a \u2018to-do list\u2019<\/strong>. They\u2019ll then work their way through each one, either by starting at the top or cherry-picking the good jobs.<\/p>\n So what\u2019s wrong with this method? Well, it\u2019s all very well writing a \u2018to do\u2019 list but when are you actually going to do it? Furthermore, what if one of the tasks on your list is so big it puts you off starting any of the jobs in the first place? This is where the timeboxing technique<\/strong> is so effective.<\/p>\n Timeboxing takes the ordinary to-do list and allocates each task to a specific timeslot<\/strong>, or box, in your schedule. It\u2019s easier to picture this if you think of the days on your calendar as boxes. Each box is a potential space for you to add a task.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re still not convinced, here\u2019s why to-do lists aren\u2019t effective.<\/p>\n I\u2019ve used timeboxing myself. I\u2019m not the world\u2019s best gardener<\/a>. As a result, my small courtyard garden has become completely overrun with weeds. It\u2019s been on my list of jobs to tackle but the sheer scale of the problem has been overwhelming.<\/p>\n It is the size the job that has stopped me in the past, but I realized that using the technique of timeboxing I could get control of the garden. So, I allocated 20 minutes every day at 5 pm to spend weeding. After about 4 weeks the garden was clear.<\/p>\n By giving myself a specific time each day and no more, I was working efficiently for those 20 minutes. If I had gone out into the garden with no schedule it\u2019s unlikely I would have been so productive. Why? Because this is a psychological principle known as Parkinson\u2019s Law<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Parkinson\u2019s Law states that \u2018work will expand to fill the time available for its completion<\/em>\u2019. In other words, if you have a two-hour job but you allow someone a couple of weeks to complete it, they\u2019ll take those two weeks instead of two hours.<\/p>\n By using the timeboxing method you are actively taking a task and organizing into space on your calendar, ready to be worked on. Not only that, but you can easily see which parts of your work or home<\/a> schedule need prioritizing.<\/p>\n For example, if you have a presentation due on Friday and your team needs visuals and text by Thursday morning you have a clear picture of where to place your workload in your timebox. The beauty of this method is that you are allocating specific times<\/strong> to an actual task.<\/p>\n You are working on the right job at the right time that you need to.<\/p>\n When we have a list of things to do it can be easy to start one job, flit to another, get distracted, and end up finishing none of them. Timeboxing keeps you focused on one task at a time. As a result, you have an allocated time space that is reserved for that job and that job only.<\/p>\n The best thing is that you can choose when you do the job<\/strong>. So, if the task is particularly taxing you might want to do it in the morning when you are most alert. For simpler jobs, afternoons may be better. You pick the timebox that suits you.<\/p>\n Another benefit of using the timeboxing strategy is that it is visual<\/strong>, and as such, everyone can see when you\u2019ve started and finished a job. Workplaces use shared calendars all the time, so why not employ it as a useful tool to get productivity rates increasing?<\/p>\n When new projects start you can have discussions regarding the best timeboxes for particular jobs and work in a much more efficient way.<\/p>\n As you can see with my garden, bigger tasks can seem overwhelming. It\u2019s easy to look at a large task<\/a> and not know where to start, or to feel intimidated. But by tackling the job in small bite-sized timeslots it instantly becomes more manageable.<\/p>\n Just divide the job into smaller mini-tasks and not only will you be able to start the job but you\u2019ll feel positive about finishing it.<\/p>\n According to Parkinson\u2019s Law, you\u2019ll be working more productively<\/strong> because you\u2019ll have a certain amount of time allocated to that task. When we have a designated time to work on a job it forces us to focus our energy and attention solely on that task alone.<\/p>\n This is a better way of working, without distractions, and with a time limit.<\/p>\n Perfectionists<\/a> will work on a project forever and even then they won\u2019t feel that it is good enough. Using the timeboxing method forces you to set a strict time limit on your work, whether you want to or not.<\/p>\n Using the timeboxing technique helps you control your workload and increases productivity. It\u2019s free, easy to use and could improve lots of areas of your life. Just write down the task you want to be completed, estimate how long that will take and timebox it in your calendar. It really is that simple.<\/p>\n References<\/strong>:<\/p>\n Are you like me and sometimes struggle to be productive? Do you tend to put things off until tomorrow? If that sounds familiar you might be interested in the timeboxing technique. What is the Timeboxing Technique? Most people, when faced with a large number of tasks, tend to tackle them by writing a \u2018to-do list\u2019. 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My Experience of Using the Timeboxing Method<\/h4>\n
Six Benefits of using the Timeboxing Technique<\/h3>\n
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You can organize your tasks<\/h4>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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You focus on one task at a time<\/h4>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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Everyone can see your progress<\/h4>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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It helps with overwhelming tasks<\/h4>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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You\u2019ll be more productive<\/h4>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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You cannot be a perfectionist<\/h4>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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