Timeboxing – Taking control of our to-do list
January 30, 2019
By Brian Maynor
One of the cornerstones of time management is creating to-do lists, but often we just end up with multiple, excessively long lists.
Some of the other issues with simply creating a to-do list are that they often make us feel overwhelmed with choices of what to tackle first; we naturally tackle the easiest tasks first; the most pressing deadlines often control the priority instead of importance, and they lack any method of commitment.
If we feel trapped in a cycle of making to-do lists, then it’s time to take control of them with timeboxing.
Timeboxing is a method of transferring our to-do lists into our calendar in blocks of time. The benefits are pretty obvious. When we block out time we are actually creating a plan to tackle the items on our list, instead of just writing them down. When we have a plan, we automatically feel more in control.
Here are some more of the benefits of timeboxing, and reasons we should implement it today:
1. It’s more about where to place tasks than when. Knowing when to tackle items on our to-do lists is important, but it’s also important to know where to place it on the schedule.
2. Communicating and collaborating becomes much easier and more effective. Whether we participate in calendar sharing or not, when we can visually see our projects on our calendar it is easier for us to ask for help and manage invitations and meetings.
3. We systematically track our progress. Often when we accomplish something on our to-do list we cross it off and keep moving. One drawback to that is losing a record of our accomplishments. Not only will this help us when it comes to performance reviews it will help us when a week flies by and we can’t remember what happened.
4. Our productivity rises. We all tend to stretch out projects for the time we have available, whether it needs that much time or not. It’s part of human nature and called Parkinson’s law. When we block out our schedule however, we reduce the possibility of spending too much time on projects that don’t require it, allowing us to get more things done in the same amount of time.
Timeboxing is pretty easy to implement. We simply have to look at our to-do list in a different light, and establish realistic deadlines for them.
I’m always excited to hear from you, so please email your questions, quandaries and conundrums to [email protected].
About Brian Maynor
Brian Maynor has built a reputation as one of the leading style coaches in the Southeast and is quickly expanding his eponymous company, BRIAN MAYNOR and his FIND, FLATTER & FLAUNT line of image consulting services. A professional with a fresh, upbeat and down-to-earth personality and boundless creative energy, he works frequently with with local celebrities; Fortune 500 companies and nonprofit organizations; modeling agencies; fashion designers; production companies; record labels; media and individuals. A regular contributor to various fashion blogs and online communities, Brian Maynor is one of the most trusted and recognized style experts in the region, utilizing his education and training as a broadcast journalist to serve as a style lecturer, emcee, and commentator for over a decade. He has appeared at fashion shows, expos, and charity fundraisers, as well as events with big brands like Banana Republic, Ann Taylor, Chico’s and Macy’s. His approach is innovative, creative and fashion-forward, balancing fresh, modern styles with classic pieces to keep one’s look grounded. To learn more, visit http://www.brianmaynor.com.
