Time Boxing vs Time Blocking

Time Boxing and Time Blocking are both productivity techniques to help you get stuff done.

Time Boxing

This method works by setting an arbitrary amount of time to get the work done. For example if you have a report to write, tell yourself you will send it in 30 minutes - then get it done.

This method works well for fixed tasks, particularly ones you don’t want to do (and are procrastinating).

Time Blocking

This involves setting fixed blocks of time everyday for the same type of task. For example 09:00-10:00 (read emails). This works well to help you gather together tasks of the same type to prevent the context switching overload of doing tasks randomly.

The warning that comes with Time Blocking is to find a goldilocks zone. Some people Time Block down to the 10 minute level, which at the face of it does not sound like a bad idea but it takes away your autonomy to chose what to do which can have the opposite effect of making you not want to do something. Keep the times large (minimum 1 hour) and generic - then use your judgement on the day to fill it in.