Do you have a hard time focusing on your work during the day? This problem is actually more common than you think, especially since major distractions now come from our computers and mobile devices. It’s even more difficult if you work online and experience constant interruptions from your home.
One strategy that has been found to help people improve their focus and be more productive is a time management technique called “time chunking”. In this article, we’ll explore the meaning of time chunking and how you can apply it in your workplace.
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What is Time Chunking and How Does It Work?
Time chunking is a productivity technique that involves breaking your work day into chunks of dedicated time. The concept is to work on a single project for a given period, usually 25 to 90 minutes, without any interruptions. Then, once the time is up, you take a short break before moving on to the next task.
There is no strict schedule for time chunking as every person has different work or tasks to do. Let’s say you need to finish a report today. What you can do is allot a 35-minute chunk in which you work for 35 minutes without interruption, then take a break for 5 minutes.
Repeat that work-break sequence three to four times before taking a 15-minute break. You can adjust the time segment depending on the difficulty of the task and your energy to work.
How Can Time Chunking Improve Productivity?
The most important part of time chunking is that it allows you to focus on a single task instead of bouncing between different tasks. Because there are fewer distractions in your mind, you become more productive and finish more work with better results.
Another advantage of time chunking is that it can help you make the most of your time by prioritizing important tasks. And by giving you a clear timeline to follow, you’ll be motivated to complete your tasks and not procrastinate.
Lastly, time chunking allows you to be more productive in your personal life. Because you can finish your tasks more efficiently, you will have more time for yourself.
Read more: Amp up Your Productivity in 2023 With These 5 Tips
Time Chunking Tips
Time chunking is best for people who work remotely because it allows them to set boundaries between their work and personal life. If you want to try this technique, here are some helpful tips to get started:
- Make a list. Start by planning your day and listing your schedule. Break your tasks into smaller, more manageable segments, and make sure to prioritize the most critical tasks first. To help you plan better, use time-chunking or time-blocking apps such as Clickup or Sunsama.
- Use a Timer. Set a timer for each task to ensure that you stick to the allocated time. We recommend that you use time-chunking apps because they have features that allow you to set a timer on each of your tasks.
- Be Flexible. Adjust your schedule as needed. If you need more time for a specific task, don’t hesitate to allocate more time to it.
- Avoid distractions. Even if this technique allows you to focus on your work, it will not be effective if there are distractions everywhere. So try to limit distractions by putting your phone on silent mode and staying away from social media.
- Group smaller tasks. To improve your productivity, it’s better if you put smaller tasks into one chunk of dedicated time. For example, replying to emails and scheduling meetings can be grouped together.
Conclusion
Time chunking is a great way to plan your day and be more productive, but the key here is to stick to your plan. To become more efficient in working, you need to practice discipline and follow your schedule.
