Ever feel like your to-do list is multiplying behind your back?
Like, no matter how much you check off, there’s always more? Oh, friend. I have BEEN there.
And then, time blocking entered my life and changed the game. But not in a strict, “schedule every minute of your day” way—because, let’s be real, life doesn’t work like that. Instead, I found a flexible, powerful approach that actually works.
The Productivity Secret? Deep Work Beats Multitasking (By A Lot)
Studies show that dedicated deep work time is 5x more productive than multitasking. Five times! That’s like getting an entire workweek’s worth of results in just one focused day.
But here’s the problem: between meetings, notifications, and life stuff, getting that uninterrupted time feels impossible. That’s where strategic time blocking comes in.
The Trap That’s Eating Your Time (And How to Escape It)
Ever notice how a task magically takes exactly as long as you give it? That’s Parkinson’s Law in action. If you set aside three hours for a project, it’ll take three hours. If you give yourself one? Boom, done in one.
By compressing my schedule, I went from working scattered hours all over the place to focusing my deep work into a dedicated window. The result? I got just as much done in 24 hours per week as I used to in a messy, drawn-out schedule.
Micro Blocks: The Sneaky Productivity Hack You’re Not Using
Big time blocks are amazing, but don’t sleep on the power of micro blocks. Even just 15 minutes can get you moving when you’re stuck.
If I have a surprise free window of time, I:
- Knock out a priority task from my list
- Set a 15-minute timer and race myself to finish something
- Walk outside, stretch, or refill my coffee (yes, this counts as productive)
These quick bursts create momentum—and momentum is everything.
Take Action Now (Future You Will Thank You)
Want to put this into practice? Start with these quick steps:
- Block off your non-working hours first (because boundaries matter)
- Try a Productivity Week—one week a month dedicated to deep work
- Schedule a weekly CEO Time to check in on your big goals
- Use micro blocks to squeeze in quick wins
Trust me, a few simple shifts can make a massive difference. Learn more on today’s podcast episode:
MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:
- Amber McCue Instagram: @ambermccue
- Google Calendar
HIGHLIGHTS:
03:50 How Amber differentiates her time-blocking approach from the traditional method
07:26 Amber’s weekly adjustments
11:40 “Flexibility meets focus and intention”
15:14 Parkinson’s Law
19:34 Amber asks you to take action
