Look, I know you’re no stranger to trying to manage your time, but sometimes when you’re deep in the chaos of ADHD life, the finer details of effective systems like time blocking can get overlooked. Before you know it, you’re too overwhelmed to ask for advice.
Don’t worry—that’s what this article is for. I’ll explain exactly what time blocking is and why it’s a game-changer for ADHD moms looking to create structure and get more done.
What Is Time Blocking?
At its most basic, time blocking is a scheduling method where you divide your day into blocks of time, each dedicated to a specific task or type of activity.
Let’s add a little more depth to that: Time blocking allows you to pre-plan your day by assigning tasks to specific time slots, ensuring that you’re not trying to juggle everything at once.
And finally, for the experts among us, time blocking can include advanced techniques like batching similar tasks together or using color-coded calendars to visually organize your day. This method ensures that even high-priority tasks get the attention they deserve without distractions.
If you’re new to this concept, rest assured: you can master time blocking in no time. Want to dig deeper into ADHD-friendly scheduling methods? Check out my free Time Management Toolkit for ADHD Moms for step-by-step strategies.
Why Should You Care About Time Blocking?
I’m all about working smarter, not harder, and I can’t make you care about time blocking—but I can give you some compelling reasons to consider it.
Time blocking is important because:
- It Reduces Overwhelm Instead of trying to multitask or tackle everything at once, you focus on one task at a time, making your day feel more manageable.
- It Improves Focus ADHD brains thrive on structure. By dedicating specific times to specific tasks, you’re less likely to get distracted.
- It Builds Momentum Small wins throughout the day add up. Time blocking helps you stay consistent and productive, even when energy levels fluctuate.
- It Encourages Balance By scheduling blocks for work, family, and self-care, you ensure that every part of your life gets attention.
Important: Don’t think that just because you’re using time blocking, you’re stuck in a rigid schedule. The truth is, time blocking is flexible and can be adjusted to fit your needs.
Time Blocking in Action
How time blocking affects your day is just as important as understanding what it is. Let me give you a real-world example:
My client, Emily, struggled to balance her work-from-home job, her kids, and household chores. She started using time blocking and created a daily schedule that looked like this:
- 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.: Morning routine and breakfast with the kids
- 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.: Focused work time (emails and meetings)
- 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.: Household tasks (laundry, tidying up)
- 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.: Lunch and playtime with the kids
By dedicating specific blocks to each responsibility, Emily felt less overwhelmed and more in control of her day. She didn’t think it was possible for a structured schedule to work for her ADHD brain, but time blocking made all the difference.
3 Tips for Mastering Time Blocking
Raise your hand if you still feel a little lost or think you can’t apply this system. Be honest! 🙋♀️
That’s no problem—here are some extra tips to get you started:
- Start Small Don’t try to block out your entire day right away. Begin with 2-3 key blocks, like work time, chore time, and family time.
- Use Visual Tools Color-code your blocks on a calendar or planner to make them easy to follow. For example, blue for work, green for chores, and yellow for self-care.
- Set Alarms ADHD brains love alarms! Use them to signal the start and end of each block so you don’t lose track of time.
For an in-depth look at how to create a time blocking schedule, check out my blog post on “5 Steps to an ADHD-Friendly Cleaning Routine.”
Key Takeaways
Let’s wrap this up, shall we? The key takeaways from this post are:
- Time blocking divides your day into manageable sections, reducing overwhelm and improving focus.
- It builds momentum by helping you achieve small wins throughout the day.
- Starting small, using visual tools, and setting alarms can help you master this system.
At Distracted Diva, I make it my mission to help ADHD moms create routines that work for their unique brains.
If you want to learn more or work with me, drop me a line. I love hearing from readers who are ready to tackle their schedules with confidence.
