You’ve probably heard the phrase:
“Time-block your day or your day will run you.”
And it’s true. Time-blocking is one of the simplest ways to take control of your day instead of reacting to everything flying at you.
But let’s be real — it can feel a bit intimidating at first.
For a lot of people, time-blocking sounds rigid. It seems like something you have to follow perfectly, down to the minute. And when things don’t go to plan (which they often don’t), you feel like you’ve failed.
That’s not the point of it at all.
Time-blocking isn’t about following a strict schedule. It’s about creating focus and protecting what matters most.
It’s Just a Guide, Not a Rulebook
The idea isn’t to stick to every time slot perfectly. It’s to give your day some structure, so you’re deciding what gets your energy — not leaving it to chance.
You’ll probably still shift things around. That’s normal. But having a plan helps you lead your day instead of reacting to it.
Even if it only half goes to plan, you’re still ahead of where you’d be with no structure at all.
Worried about setting things in stone? Use a pencil or one of those erasable pens. Sorted.
The People Who Use It Best? They’re Not Perfect Either
High performers, creatives, business owners — they all use time-blocking. Not because their lives are predictable, but because their priorities are clear.
When something runs over or life gets in the way, they don’t ditch the whole day. They just move things around and keep going.
It’s not about sticking to it perfectly. It’s about having a plan to come back to.
What It Actually Looks Like
Forget the overcomplicated colour-coded systems you’ve seen online.
Here’s what a real-life time-blocked day might look like:
- 9:00 – 10:30: Deep work (writing, creative, strategy)
- 10:30 – 11:00: Admin and emails
- 11:00 – 12:00: Client call
- 12:00 – 1:00: Lunch and a walk
- 1:00 – 3:00: Project work
- 3:00 – 4:00: Buffer or catch-up
- 4:00 – 5:00: Social media or wrap-up tasks
Too much? Just break it into “AM / PM” zones instead. You don’t need to plan every minute — just give your day some shape.
Don’t Just Block Work — Block Your Joy
This is the part most people forget.
Time-blocking isn’t just for work. It’s how you make space for the stuff that keeps you grounded, sane, and actually enjoying life.
- Time at the gym
- A proper lunch break
- Reading or journalling
- Dinner with friends
- A morning walk with no phone
- Or yes — even a good old Netflix binge without feeling guilty
These things matter. Not just for your wellbeing, but for your performance. Rest and joy aren’t a reward. They’re part of the system.
So don’t wait until you’re burnt out to “fit them in.” Block them in, just like you would a meeting.
What Time-Blocking Isn’t
- It’s not about being busy every hour
- It’s not about sticking to a rigid routine
- It’s not about feeling guilty when plans change
- It’s not about doing more — it’s about doing what matters
This is just a tool to help you focus. That’s it. You don’t have to use it perfectly. You just need to use it with purpose.
Why It Works
Your brain loves structure.
When you assign time to a task — even loosely — you’re more likely to follow through. You reduce decision fatigue. You stop bouncing from one thing to the next.
And you stop holding everything in your head. Writing it down clears the mental clutter.
Even if you only follow half of what you planned, you’ll get more done than if you’d just winged it.
How the MY PA Planner Makes It Easier
The MY PA Planner makes time-blocking simple. Every day is laid out for you with a clean, structured format — no extra setup, no wasted pages.
And it’s fully dated, so you can pick it up and get going without needing to write in dates or figure out where you left off.
- It’s a full-year planner — no quarterly refills or undated chaos
- You pair your time blocks with your Top 3 daily goals
- It works whether you follow it exactly or keep it flexible
It’s designed for real life — with space for structure, creativity, and breathing room. Whether you’re building a business, managing multiple roles, or just trying to stay sane, this planner helps you stay focused without the overwhelm.
Final Thought
If time-blocking has ever felt overwhelming, you’re not alone.
But maybe the problem wasn’t the tool — it was how you were using it.
Try it again. Use it to create clarity, not pressure.
Even a loose plan is better than waking up and hoping for the best.