GIGIBLAIR_2018_COLOR500GIGIBLAIR_2018_COLOR500GIGIBLAIR_2018_COLOR500GIGIBLAIR_2018_COLOR500
  • ABOUT
  • WORK WITH ME
    • Organizational Leaders
    • Business Owners
    • Complimentary Coaching
  • BOOK GIGI
  • RESULTS
  • BLOG
  • CONTACT
  • FREE WORKBOOK
Here's the workbook my clients use to help them Think Clearly and Communicate Confidently. It's yours free.
✕
Tips for Proper Business Etiquette (and Personal Etiquette, too!)
02/19/2016
The Healthiest 30 Foods
03/17/2016

Is Your Weekly Schedule Realistic?

Earlier this week a business colleague (& friend) was telling me how she is trying “time blocking” to better manage her tasks and activities. Time blocking is exactly as it sounds – certain periods of time and / or days of the week are devoted to specific activities. She had gotten the idea from a blog post she had read of an internationally-known marketing guru and business consultant.

I wanted to find the post and see for myself what he had to say. I easily found it and viewed the spreadsheet of his sample weekly schedule.

Let’s just say one more time (!) that the “runway does not equal reality”….Is it just expected that when one becomes an “expert” they lose any sense of living in the real world? That’s where I live and that’s where my clients live!

Three things about his schedule jumped out at me immediately:

  1. In his blog he writes about the importance of having dinner with his wife every night. Of course that’s wonderful. There was nothing in his schedule for “Dinner Prep,” or “Dinner Clean-up.” Wouldn’t it be terrific if a healthy dinner just appeared and we walked to the table, sat down and enjoyed it with the ones we love the most. And then, the kitchen cleaned itself?!
  2. One hour – you read that right – one hour on Saturday was devoted to “Household Chores.” I chuckled.
  3. I saw nothing in his 7-day schedule allotting for LIFE MANAGEMENT  – laundry, yard work, car maintenance or errands.

The bottom line? While I absolutely advocate time blocking (especially using paper calendars!) – it must be realistic and capture your necessary tasks. Otherwise, overwhelm and frustration from unmet expectations easily take root.

The results of my friend time blocking her week? She reports an increased energy, less “feeling frazzled” and a stronger sense of purpose to approach each day. One certainly can’t argue with those results. I call them successful!

Question: Do you currently use a system to block your time? Do you think it could help you better manage life?

 

 

Share

Related posts

09/25/2017

Have You Hit a Ceiling of Complexity?


Read more
09/05/2017

Finding Clarity After An Eclipse


Read more
05/05/2017

What’s Fear Got to Do With It?


Read more

2 Comments

  1. Katherine says:
    03/05/2016 at 2:20 pm

    Hello Gigi,
    I have been using a time blocking sheet for about a month now and I really think it helps. It has helped make me aware of how I spend my time and if I am realistic about the things I do plan out. I fill out mine the night before my next day. I have issue with being on time for work and I realize by doing the time blocking I did not give myself enough time to do all the things I want to do in the morning. It does not mean that I get everything done that is on the list but being aware of all that there is to do and then prioritize them as to what really is important is the key!! And, it got me to take the Facebook App off my phone! 😉

    Loving you in Dallas!! Katherine

    Reply
    • Gigi Blair says:
      03/06/2016 at 8:53 pm

      Katherine sounds like you are reaping the benefits of time blocking – Good for you! I’ve found it also helps me be more realistic with tasks and time. When are you going to visit DC? xo

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Contact Gigi Blair

P O Box 4413
Alexandria, VA 22303
703-354-8887
gb@GigiBlair.com

Let’s Stay In Touch

Signing up for this mailing list makes you smarter, more confident and fun (or better-looking.) You'll always have something to talk about at your next party.

Get It Now

Results

“Your weekly newsletter has been super helpful to me and I weave them into personal and professional discussions. Thanks for your insight and wisdom.” – Director, Enterprise and Government Solutions, Washington D.C. 

  • Home
  • About
  • Work With Me
  • Results
  • Blog
  • Contact
© 2018 Live, Lead, Look by Gigi Blair. Website development by Eyely Design.