When I first learned about calendar blocking, I was pretty excited. I realized that I could use Google Calendar, something I was already using, to manage my time. And get more stuff done.

Want to know how you too can get more done in a day, and not be frustrated when other commitments always seem to cut into your writing time?

Good. I’m going to show you my process of calendar blocking my days and weeks to make sure I’m getting the writing done I want to, while also being aware of other responsibilities and commitments.

Below are some steps that you can follow to block your time, and then afterward I’ll show you how I typically schedule my day so you can get an inside look…

 

Step 01. Pull up Google Calendar

Pull up your Google Calendar, and if you haven’t used it before now…well, still pull it up.

 

Step 02. Decide how to color-code your calendar

There are 11 colors to choose from in Google Calendar to mark your events. Deciding which color will be for which task, reminder, event, etc. will help you see at a glance where your time is going.

My color code:

• Blue: writing time (this includes blogging, answering comments, etc.)
• Yellow: personal things (morning routine, working out, free time, etc.)
• Grey: chores, projects around the house, out-of-town, etc.
• Dark green: horsemanship (courses, books, riding lessons, etc.)
• Purple: music (practice time and class time)
• Pink: instagram (when I need to post, time set aside for taking photos, etc.)
• Orange: any other educational work that’s not writing or horse related
• Light green: meals

Of course, there are more colors than this (and I do use them), but these are my most used.

 

Step 03. Add all events/responsibilities/commitments that cannot be changed

Most likely for a lot of you, this is probably school. In your chosen color, put all the un-changeable events into your calendar. You can’t change these things, you’ll have to work around them.

 

Step 04. Add all your ‘have-to’s’

Add time to work on things that you have to get done. Things with deadlines and set goals. These are more pressing matters but not as solid as the events in step 3.

Your writing will probably fit into this category. But if you already have too much going on in your ‘have-to’s’, then you may have to fit it into this step below…

 

Step 05. Add all your ‘want-to’s’

These are extra things that you’d like to get done, but don’t have a deadline or goal for. Maybe some hobbies that you want to pick up again, for example.

 

Okay, so this might be a little difficult to do for the whole month (or even just the whole week). So let’s take a look at how you can use calendar blocking to schedule your day. Say, tomorrow…

 

01

Here’s a look into how I typically calendar block my day…

Quick note: I realize that the date shown is the 29th and I mention later that the next day is NaNo, I just accidentally starting blocking on the wrong day. I meant to do the 31st. 🙂

My brother’s hockey practice on this evening is something I can’t work around. Since we try our best to go to all events together as a family, this is a commitment that can’t be changed.

 

02

Adding my ‘have-to’s.’

Blocking in my morning routine in, keeping with my color scheme…

 

And my time after that…

 

Before I move on, I just want to mention that often the things I’ve added here that aren’t immovable commitments are flexible. It might change depending on the plans my mom has for the day as well. Be ready to be flexible. Calendar blocking can help you get more done, but things will come up and you will have to change your plans.

 

03

My ‘want-to’s.’

Since my horsemanship course (Parelli) doesn’t have any deadline and it’s self-paced, this is one of my ‘want-to’s.’ I don’t have any writing to do on this day, so instead I’ll take some time to prepare for the next day: THE FIRST DAY OF NANOWRIMO! Cleaning my workspace, rearranging or decorating, getting my playlists and collages ready, etc.

 

And that’s pretty much it. I don’t usually block every minute of the whole day, because I want to have time set aside for my family and anything my mom may need me to work on as well.

So there ye be! I hope this post was easy to understand and helpful. Feel free to leave questions in the comments or contact me here. I also hope that this post will prepare you for NaNoWriMo so you be sure to get those words written and reach the 50k goal! 😀

 

Do you calendar block? What’s your favorite way to organize your day?

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