Working In Time Blocks – Getting Things Done

It’s 4:54 PM, and as your workday winds down, your mind begins to race—not about what you accomplished today, but about everything you still need to do tonight:

• Hit the gym
• Pay some bills
• Write that blog post
• Catch up on laundry
• Respond to emails
• (Insert your own growing to-do list here)

The mission? You’ve got 4 or 5 evening hours to knock things out. But here’s the reality: most nights, you only check off one or two things—if that. Then you wake up, head back to the office, and guess what? That same list is staring you in the face again, barely touched.

So what gives?

For most of us, it comes down to two culprits: spending too much time on one task, or getting distracted altogether. The hours slip by, and we wonder where the time went.

It’s not about having more time—it’s about using your time intentionally.

The Solution: Time Blocking Your Evenings

Here’s a productivity technique that has helped me and countless others turn evenings into mini power sessions: Time Blocking.

When you get home tomorrow night, try this:

1. Write out your to-do list — the full version, no editing.
2. Assign a fixed time limit to each item — say, 30 minutes per task.
3. Set a timer and commit to working on that task, and that task only, until the time’s up.
4. Move on to the next item, even if the first one isn’t fully finished.
5. Leave the final 30 minutes of your night for wrapping up any loose ends (like transferring laundry or replying to one last email).

This technique works because it gives structure to your time and puts you in a focused, execution mode. You’ll start thinking: “I only have 30 minutes for this—let’s go.”

Why It Works

Time blocking brings a psychological shift. When you know there’s a time limit, your focus sharpens. You’re far less likely to procrastinate, obsess over perfection, or waste time bouncing between half-finished tasks.

You move from reacting to your to-do list, to managing it. And that subtle shift makes a massive difference.

Even more, it builds a muscle that’s essential for success in any area of life: discipline.

Discipline isn’t just about willpower—it’s about structure. Time blocking gives you a framework to train your mind and habits. It teaches you to show up, stay on task, and execute with intention—even when distractions are everywhere.

A Real-World Example

Let’s say your evening looks like this:

• Workout – 6:00 PM to 6:30 PM
• Bills – 6:30 PM to 7:00 PM
• Dinner & dishes – 7:00 PM to 7:45 PM
• Blog writing – 7:45 PM to 8:15 PM
• Emails – 8:15 PM to 8:45 PM
• Catch-up buffer – 8:45 PM to 9:15 PM

This isn’t about rushing—it’s about being efficient. Instead of letting one thing consume your whole night, you give each task the time it needs—and nothing more.

Over time, you’ll get better at estimating how long things actually take. You’ll also start prioritizing more effectively, cutting out tasks that don’t deserve your energy.

Start Small, But Start Today

This doesn’t have to be perfect. Start with just 3 time blocks tonight. Use your phone’s timer. Write your list on a sticky note. Keep it simple.

Try it once. See how it feels. Then come back and tweak your approach.

I promise you’ll feel a greater sense of control and accomplishment—and that lingering to-do list won’t feel quite so overwhelming anymore.

Final Thought

Time is the most valuable resource you have. If you want to get more done without burning out, give each hour a job. Treat your evenings like the runway to tomorrow’s success.

Try time blocking tonight—and let me know how it goes.