Time Blocking and GTD

[Dave Edwards]

Is time blocking a productivity hack that aligns with the GTD methodology, or does it contradict its core principles? Many people struggle with balancing their to-do lists and calendars, wondering if blocking off time for important tasks is a smart move or a scheduling mistake. Some argue that GTD discourages putting tasks on your calendar unless they are tied to a specific deadline. But does that mean time blocking is off-limits?

Here's my approach.

 

[gtdstudente]

Is time blocking a productivity hack that aligns with the GTD methodology, or does it contradict its core principles? Many people struggle with balancing their to-do lists and calendars, wondering if blocking off time for important tasks is a smart move or a scheduling mistake. Some argue that GTD discourages putting tasks on your calendar unless they are tied to a specific deadline. But does that mean time blocking is off-limits?

Here's my approach.

@Dave Edwards

Thank you very much for your most worthy GTD video

On this end, when something 'all important' enters life, 'usually' resort to 'Project focusing' disguised as a 'Next Action' for completion

While tolerating the flow of life's other 'interuptions' and appropriately returning to the 'focused Project' as much as possible until the 'focused Project' is appropriately completed as would be the GTD case for any Next Action to appropriately ensure as much mind like water as GTD possible


As you see GTD fit. . . .

 

[pgarth]

I have found success with time-blocking, with my agreement to be "within" a specific context for whatever time duration.

What then occurs is less a focus on "task" and more about what is needing my attention/focus right now.

This works well with stuff that I'm delaying or procrastinating on. The phrasing or wording of a task can have loaded meaning (fear of responsibility), which can lead to sabotage and skipping over the item/task.

By being within the context, it's a shift towards my time and energy. I then can be open and curious to what arises from time spent on items that I was initially averse to. "Well... that wasn't too bad"; "I stepped into the action, finally, and now realize that there is something that needs to be attended to first".

 

[gtdstudente]

I have found success with time-blocking, with my agreement to be "within" a specific context for whatever time duration.

What then occurs is less a focus on "task" and more about what is needing my attention/focus right now.

This works well with stuff that I'm delaying or procrastinating on. The phrasing or wording of a task can have loaded meaning (fear of responsibility), which can lead to sabotage and skipping over the item/task.

By being within the context, it's a shift towards my time and energy. I then can be open and curious to what arises from time spent on items that I was initially averse to. "Well... that wasn't too bad"; "I stepped into the action, finally, and now realize that there is something that needs to be attended to first".

@pgarth

"Procrastination" . . . "sabortage" . . . " "task" . . . hmmm

Thank you very much

 

[Tom_Hagen]

This video is an answer to my question that I asked here once. Timeblocking is a kind of direction for large projects and this approach seems reasonable to me. In the regular GTD approach, at a given moment we check what are the limiting factors (or if you prefer, those that give opportunities) such as: context, time, energy. In the case of time blocking, we define these conditions ourselves: we have to make sure we are in the right place / have the right tools, so that the block of time falls, for example, when we have the right energy, and we block the right "amount" of time. Thanks to this, the process is more directed than "spontaneous", which is important in the case of long-term / important projects.

I also like treating GTD as a framework rather than a "closed" system with established dogmas.

 

[TesTeq]

Time blocking and GTD? Easy! Just divide yourself into to personas: Project Manager and Creator. Then in your calendar create their meeting. Your time is blocked in the spirit of the GTD methodology!

 

[cfoley]

Most of us do that to some extent anyway.

Work, sleeping, evening classes, holidays, etc. all have start and end times.

 

[mcogilvie]

Time blocking and GTD? Easy! Just divide yourself into to personas: Project Manager and Creator. Then in your calendar create their meeting. Your time is blocked in the spirit of the GTD methodology!

Yes, but I often get into arguments with myself. (No, you don’t.) It’s embarrassing to lose. (No it isn’t.)

 

[gtdstudente]

This video is an answer to my question that I asked here once. Timeblocking is a kind of direction for large projects and this approach seems reasonable to me. In the regular GTD approach, at a given moment we check what are the limiting factors (or if you prefer, those that give opportunities) such as: context, time, energy. In the case of time blocking, we define these conditions ourselves: we have to make sure we are in the right place / have the right tools, so that the block of time falls, for example, when we have the right energy, and we block the right "amount" of time. Thanks to this, the process is more directed than "spontaneous", which is important in the case of long-term / important projects.

I also like treating GTD as a framework rather than a "closed" system with established dogmas.

@Tom_Hagen

In the hopes furthering GTD optimization:

While time-blocking can be used for large Projects . . . while being vulnerable to life's vicissitudes

Perhaps time-blocking could also be more predictably easier for completing larger than normal Next Action(s) . . . while anticipating realistic interruptions ?

As you see GTD fit. . . .

 

[chrisstribbs]

Is time blocking a productivity hack that aligns with the GTD methodology, or does it contradict its core principles? Many people struggle with balancing their to-do lists and calendars, wondering if blocking off time for important tasks is a smart move or a scheduling mistake. Some argue that GTD discourages putting tasks on your calendar unless they are tied to a specific deadline. But does that mean time blocking is off-limits?

Here's my approach.

I find it compliments my GTD practice, given the nature of my work. It reduces decision making further.

 

[Cpu_Modern]

[…] time blocking […] does it contradict its core principles?

I can't see how it would do so. OTOH, I don't see how diminishing my discretionary time gives me any win.

One point that came up in various discussions over the years was the tendency to engage in "easier" tasks and leave the important tasks undone. In other words, always just doing "shallow work" and never engaging "deep work", if you want to borrow that sort of vocabulary.

The obvious solution, if you want to use time blocking, is to have a recurring time block on your calendar, where you engage in shallow work and at all other points in time you are only allowed to do deep work or no work at all.

 

[gtdstudente]

I can't see how it would do so. OTOH, I don't see how diminishing my discretionary time gives me any win.

One point that came up in various discussions over the years was the tendency to engage in "easier" tasks and leave the important tasks undone. In other words, always just doing "shallow work" and never engaging "deep work", if you want to borrow that sort of vocabulary.

The obvious solution, if you want to use time blocking, is to have a recurring time block on your calendar, where you engage in shallow work and at all other points in time you are only allowed to do deep work or no work at all.

@Cpu_Modern

Just a quick thought

Find easiest is often the most intrinsic reduction strategy:

I. Its greater certainty contributes to 'instant' confidence through less possibility of unforeseen sabotaging glitches

II. Lightens Lists which:
1. Reduces Numbness
2. Reduces Option Considerations
3. etc.

As you see GTD fit. . . .

 

[mcogilvie]

I can't see how it would do so. OTOH, I don't see how diminishing my discretionary time gives me any win.

One point that came up in various discussions over the years was the tendency to engage in "easier" tasks and leave the important tasks undone. In other words, always just doing "shallow work" and never engaging "deep work", if you want to borrow that sort of vocabulary.

The obvious solution, if you want to use time blocking, is to have a recurring time block on your calendar, where you engage in shallow work and at all other points in time you are only allowed to do deep work or no work at all.

Another solution.is to attempt to do important work at certain times. In my case, I try to use part of every morning for important things.