I’m gonna bust the myth now. There is no such thing as Work/Life balance.

But! I do wanna dive into strategies and helpful tools on how to make it work, especially as a working woman.

Picture this: you’ve got client meetings, project deadlines, family obligations, and that elusive “me time” all clamoring for attention. Sounds familiar, right? But fear not, because today we’re diving headfirst into the game-changing strategy of time-blocking, your ticket to reclaiming control and creating more space for all the things that matter most.

So, what exactly is time-blocking?

Simply put, it’s a game plan for your day and week, where you carve out dedicated chunks of time for specific tasks or activities. Think of it as your personalized roadmap to productivity paradise. Instead of feeling overwhelmed by the never-ending to-do list, you’re calling the shots and prioritizing what deserves your precious time and energy.

Now, I know what you might be thinking: “But I already have a planner, a digital calendar, and about a dozen sticky notes scattered around my workspace.” Trust me, I’ve been there! The beauty of time-blocking lies in its simplicity and effectiveness. It’s not just about jotting down tasks; it’s about intentionally allocating your most valuable resource—time—in a way that aligns with your goals and values.

The tricky part here is you may need a little bit of trial and error to find what’s the best fit for you. I’m been working on this idea for about 6 months and finally feel like I’ve hit a groove.

You’re not too busy – you’re just not in control of your time.

A few years ago I stumbled across this book called “168 Hours” by Laura Vanderkam. She is a fantastic author, speaker, podcaster and mom of 5 kids! It’s a time-management book that challenges the belief that we don’t have enough time in a week. It offers practical strategies for maximizing our schedules and using time wisely to achieve personal and professional goals.

So often I hear from women around me about not having enough time in the week. Well, this book crushes that myth and gives us some seriously cool (AND HELPFUL!!) strategies to make the most out of every single day when planning your week. Seriously, it’s a total game-changer!

But if you don’t have time to read, (I get it, I really do) today I’m sharing how I use the method from this book to plan out my week.

Quick note: Keep in mind this isn’t a quick-fix solution. You know me. I’m not about the fluff. Growing a family and a business is not a sprint. It’s a marathon. So let’s plan and prepare to do the things we love and do them well.

Here’s how I suggest to get started:

1. Track your Time

Number nerd Maggie talking here. The first step this book recommends is auditing your time. Make up a spreadsheet or even paper and pen and track how you are spending every hour for 2 weeks.

Yes, you read that right.

You can skip this step and go to #2 BUT I will say the data this step brings helped me make so many decisions moving forward and really understand where my time was going.

> Personally I’m at my laptop often enough and didn’t want to loose a paper so I created a Google Spreadsheet– Sharing the link here, save yourself a minute and make your own copy! I then set 3 timers on my phone to go off throughout the day when I knew I could track the last few hours with what I’d been up to. You can get super specific or keep is general. In my expereince, I found it more helpful to not write “work” in the box from 9-11:30 and instead list a little of what I was working on

2. What’s your focus? Break It Down

Before you dive into time-blocking, take a moment to reflect on what truly matters to you. What are your big-picture goals? What are the non-negotiables in your life? By gaining clarity on your priorities, you can make more informed decisions about how to structure your time.

Once you know your priorities, break down your day into manageable chunks. Whether it’s an hour-long brainstorming session, a 30-minute power workout, or a 15-minute coffee break with a friend, assign specific time blocks to each activity. Don’t forget to include buffer time for unexpected interruptions or transitions between tasks.

3. Stick to the Plan (But Be Flexible)

Now comes the fun part: putting your plan into action! Treat your time blocks like sacred appointments with yourself, and do your best to honor them. Of course, life happens, and flexibility is key. If something derails your schedule, don’t beat yourself up about it. Simply adjust and move forward.

On the note of being flexible, there was a season of life I kept my friday early afternoon free of meetings or specific todo’s. Running a business with 2 kids naturally leads to something getting pushed. With this buffer I had some piece of mind that I could still get something accomplished this week, just at a later time.

4. Reflect and Refine

At the end of each day (or let’s be honest week), take some time to reflect on how your time-blocking experiment is going. What worked well? What didn’t? Be honest with yourself, and don’t be afraid to tweak your approach as needed. Remember, this is all about finding what works best for you.

For example, I noticed I was attempting to do jobs that required a lot of mental energy late on Thursday afternoon and when my brain was MAXED out. I turned that block of time into getting up and moving. Some of my job requires hanging art or doing small fix its and that’s now for Thursday afternoons.

5. Celebrate Your Wins

Last but not least, don’t forget to celebrate your victories, no matter how small. Whether you successfully tackled a daunting task or carved out some much-needed self-care time, give yourself a pat on the back. You’re making progress, and that deserves to be celebrated!

I remember when I first started time-blocking and realized by the end of a month I had gotten to read & FINISHED 4 fun romance books!! During a time in my life when I thought I had too much on my plate, because of blocking my time I had made time for something fun that mattered to me.

So, dear friends, are you ready to unlock your time freedom and take control of your schedule like you’ve always dreamed? With the power of time-blocking in your toolkit, the sky’s the limit. Here’s to more productivity, more balance, and more time for the things that set your soul on fire. You’ve got this!

Until next time, hope your week is productive! 💪✨