What is timeboxing? and how can you use it to get things done? Timeboxing is a simple system for turning your to-do list into a set of mini-goals with deadlines that you accomplish utilizing a countdown timer. Â
First, we will discuss an easy 7 step process that you can use to create your timeboxing schedule for the day. Then we will discuss why timeboxing is so beneficial in helping to get more done each day. Let’s get right to it!

Here is a 7 step process that you can easily follow:
- STEP 1. Decide on the size of the timeboxes that you want to work with (30-50 minutes each). Each chunk of time will be one box.
- STEP 2. On a piece of paper or a digital document, list the tasks that you would like to accomplish for the day.
- STEP 3. For each of the tasks on your list, decide how many timeboxes you want to set aside to complete it. For example:
(6) – research and write a blog post on how to declutter your mind. (Six 30-minute timeboxes are being set aside to complete this task.)
- STEP 4. Grab a timer. This can be an egg timer or a countdown timer on your phone or tablet.
- STEP 5. Select a task and set your timer for the length of your timebox (30-50 minutes.) Start the timer and do nothing but the work on the selected task for the timer’s length.
- STEP 6. When the timer expires, take a break for 5-10 minutes.
- STEP 7. If the task you were working on requires more than one timebox to complete, repeat steps 4, 5, and 6. If not, move on to the next task. Or, you can find out here why it might be best in some situations to limit yourself to the time you allotted and move on.
Use Any Schedule, Planner or Online Calendar
You can use any schedule or planner that you have to create your timeboxes. Just block off the times you will be doing any certain task. An online calendar such as Google Calendar works great for this too. In case you are like me though and you prefer to handwrite your to-do-lists, tasks and schedule, I’ve created this handy dandy timeboxing schedule to download and use for yourself below.

It has room for 16 different timeboxes per day which should be more than enough to be super productive. It is enough to schedule 8 hours of work using 30 minute timeboxes. Just fill in the time you are going to complete the task (such as 8:00am-8:30am – add 3 new products to e-commerce store). Put a different task in each of the boxes for as many items on your to-do list for the day.
I’ve also included a weekly schedule as I know many people like to actually block off the time in their schedule. This is an easy way to see your entire week at a glance. Print them off and use whichever one you find the most useful, or both.
I use 30-minute timeboxes, and that period of time works well for me. You can adjust for whatever time period works best for you after you have tried out a few.
Why does timeboxing work so well?
There are numerous reasons that the technique works. One of them is that it provides you with clarity. The list of tasks you create gives your brain clear direction about what you need to complete for the day. Thus, minimizing the resistance to doing those tasks.
Next, it helps to motivate you. Assigning each task a block of time to complete gives you fuel in the form of a deadline. This creates a strong motivation to get the task done.
Finally, timeboxing helps to create momentum. Each time you complete a box of time, you experience a sense of accomplishment, which drives you to do more. This is similar to the process we used to create or eliminate habits.
How to use timeboxing
Use timeboxing to plan and accomplish the tasks for your day tomorrow using the timeboxing process described above. When you discover how awesome timeboxing can be, do it the next day and the next, and so on.
So grab your timer and your to-do list and get started. Let me know in the comments if this works for you. It is a simple time-management concept that can significantly impact your productivity and the amount you accomplish each day.
Make sure you read how to limit interruptions so that you can get more done for more tips and tricks to being a productivity superstar! You may also want to read about ways to improve your focus to get more done for even more tips to help you focus.
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Other Time Management Posts You May Like:
How to Make Time for Everything
Six Time Management Tips to Get Things Done at Home
Five Ways for Easily Handling Interruptions to Get More Done
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