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How to Block Time in Google Calendar for a Productive Workday

Do you sometimes find it difficult to manage your time? It's no wonder that colleagues, children and your partner expect a lot from you. Your calendar can help!

Next, we'll look at a concept called Time Blocking:The Secret Weapon for Better Focus Time Blocking:The Secret Weapon for Better Focus Looking for a more efficient way to organize your work days? Try time lock. This time management tactic can help you stay on track while keeping distractions, procrastination, and unproductive multitasking at bay. Read more . You'll learn how to start using it every day in specific ways with the help of Google Calendar. Time blocking involves separating designated periods according to short-term and long-term goals. Its benefits include better focus, a more prepared state of mind, and less stress.

So why wait? Let's get started!

Time to relax in your day (30 minutes)

We live in a culture driven by immediacy. Sometimes it seems that quick results are more desirable than high-quality ones. If you feel compelled to dive into tasks immediately after work, think again. Taking that approach could leave you feeling burned out and result in an inability to do your best work. Use Google Calendar to block out time that makes things easier. Which of these morning routines is best for you? Which of these morning routines is best for you? There is no one size fits all morning routine, but if you ask a group of successful people, you will see many similarities and overlaps. Read more.

Tackle the least intensive tasks first, then gradually work your way up to the more demanding ones. Make an event on Google Calendar for every thing you have to do. Use descriptive titles so you don't get sidetracked by ambiguity.

How to Block Time in Google Calendar for a Productive Workday

Start by clicking on the desired calendar segment and making an event title. Then click Edit event button. the Create The option seems correct, but the first one gives you more customization options.

How to Block Time in Google Calendar for a Productive Workday

Be sure to mark yourself as busy if you don't want to be disturbed.

Finally, make sure that the people who need to see it can see your calendar entry. Just click on the Audience radio button to the right of “Visibility” in the event settings.

How to Block Time in Google Calendar for a Productive Workday

It's even possible to add events to your calendar directly from Gmail. Built-in technology detects when you're reading an email that includes a specific time commitment. Underlines words that you can click to see if there are any conflicting events in Google Calendar. Click the for more information. There is also a Create event option in Gmail's More menu. Click it to launch Google Calendar.

Giving yourself time to gradually reach peak performance should keep you from feeling overwhelmed. This time-blocking tip works especially well if you're frequently "stuck" thinking about the time of day.

Time to react to meetings and communications (15-30 minutes)

If you know you have a meeting tomorrow, plan 15-30 minutes after the meeting 3 Free Templates to Keep Meetings Ongoing and Useful 3 Free Templates to Keep Meetings Ongoing and Useful Make your meetings better with a template right structured. Here we show you free meeting templates to prepare, record and summarize your meetings for an effective result. Read More

What actions do you need to take? Do you need to host an event, make a process change, follow up with someone?

How to Block Time in Google Calendar for a Productive Workday

It's best to eliminate these tasks while they're still fresh in your mind. Blocking out this time in advance not only makes you more prepared to hear action items during a meeting or phone call, it will also prevent other tasks from getting in the way.

Use the availability and visibility settings mentioned above. So others are in no doubt that you cannot provide immediate assistance during this reaction time.

How to Block Time in Google Calendar for a Productive Workday

Also, note the Time Zone link near the top of the “Edit Event” settings.

Communicating with people from all over the world gives them more accurate insights into the structure of their day.

Unavailable “Deep work” Time (2 Hours)

When Deadlines Approach Make Room for a Lazy Weekend:5 Easy Tips to Beat Deadlines for a Lazy Weekend:5 Easy Tips to Beat Deadlines Nothing can be more stressful than the threat of a deadline. It does not have to be like that. With just a few adjustments you can get your work done ahead of time. Read More That means setting up a distraction-free office space, and then making sure no one breaks into it.

There are physical indicators that you can use to communicate a lack of availability. For example, use a "Do Not Disturb" door hanger. Alternatively, mount a whiteboard next to your ticket indicating when it will be available again.

In terms of Google Calendar, show that you are in a heavy workload and not available to others. Color Code Your Unavailability How to Change Default Event Color in Google Calendar How to Change Default Event Color in Google Calendar If you're wondering how to change the color of newly created events in Google Calendar, this is it. what to do. Read More

How to Block Time in Google Calendar for a Productive Workday

Also, consider adding details to each "unavailable" block that explains why your office (and headspace) is off limits. Provide details to demonstrate to others how seriously you take deep work time. Otherwise, people might think you don't want company because you're getting ready for a long lunch.

the Repeat The checkbox, on the other hand, is ideal to enter into a habitual practice of deep productivity..

How to Block Time in Google Calendar for a Productive Workday

Click on it and then make your changes in the respective dropdown lists and checkboxes. They allow you to edit specific duration and recurrence data..

How to Block Time in Google Calendar for a Productive Workday

Having trouble with this aspect of blocking time or even adding things to your calendar? Seek help from any of the numerous apps that have just this problem in mind.

Time to be spontaneous (1 hour)

You may feel well equipped to plan, but unforeseen events can create challenges. Rely on Google calendar to build “buffer” time by blocking time.

Maybe you're anticipating an email in the morning from a person who always sets high expectations. If you suspect that the person will drop another responsibility on your already full plate, block the time to react accordingly.

Take on tasks like company meetings, important phone calls, and work groups that will take longer than expected.

How to Block Time in Google Calendar for a Productive Workday

Make the most of blocking time by following a plan to handle unexpected events The Perfect Meeting Plan (Templates Included) The Perfect Meeting Plan (Templates Included) Effective meeting requests can help everyone save time and have more productive meetings. Our plan will help you write clear meeting goals and successfully engage your attendees. Read more . Taking that approach should help you stay as focused as possible. The time you spend on Google Calendar gives you the flexibility to strategically deal with unplanned circumstances. Without that benefit, you might feel like a problem is too big to solve. Or there may be a realization that you don't know the first step to fix things.

Use Google Calendar Notifications Settings to help you stick to your plan. Find them directly below the “Event Color” options on the Edit Event page. Change the dropdowns to indicate whether you want email notifications, popup boxes, or both.

You can also change the default notification settings. Go to your Google Calendar Home Page And under My calendars expand the calendar menu by clicking the menu button with the arrowhead. Go to Calendar settings> Edit notifications .

How to Block Time in Google Calendar for a Productive Workday

Here you can change the existing default value and click Add a notification to add additional default values.

How to Block Time in Google Calendar for a Productive Workday

Remember: Depending on the situation, your best immediate response may be to do nothing. That's particularly likely if it triggered strong emotions. It is perfectly appropriate to refrain from taking action until you have assessed the situation.

The end of the working day (20-30 minutes)

Productivity experts believe that the close of one workday could determine how the next begins. In Google Calendar, set aside 20-minute blocks of time to do things that set you up to thrive tomorrow.

Begin by reflecting on the day. What things went well and which have room for improvement? Don't treat yourself too harshly with things that didn't go as well as you hoped. They are in the past now. Also, hopefully you have smoothed out some of them with the technique directly mentioned. If not, decide to make it one of your priorities for the next morning How to Design Your Own Perfect Day for Productivity How to Design Your Own Perfect Day for Productivity A productive day begins when you wake up energized. Every day can start productively without much effort. Here are some tools and tips that can help you start a new day. Read more.

The last 20 minutes of your time at work is an ideal opportunity to prepare for the day ahead. 8 Super-Simple To-Do List Tools To Keep You Focused 8 Super-Simple To-Do List Tools To Keep You Focused A to-do list is the simplest productivity system. These eight minimalist to-do list tools are for keeping track of your daily tasks without the hassle. Read more . By using the first tip here, you can leave time to prepare for work. Instead of being immediately overwhelmed, you can move into the workday at a reasonable pace.

How to Block Time in Google Calendar for a Productive Workday

Back to events. Notifications section. Notice how there's a lot of flexibility when notifications happen? If you want, you can ask Google to send them to you up to four weeks in advance.

For our purposes, getting an hour before your workday ends reminds you of this wrap-up period. Set things up using the dropdown list that references time.

You can also use the Repeat feature to automatically block this end-of-day timeout for you every weekday.

Close out your time at work by identifying the best ways to spend the next day. Pick the highest priority tasks and then check your Google calendar and make sure it looks blocky enough. If not, take a few minutes to improve it..

What other time slots do you set aside??

Time blocking can be very helpful in terms of keeping your schedule realistic and productive. However, aside from blocking the timeslots mentioned here, there are also many other things you could use timelocking for!

What Else Will Block Your Google Calendar Avoid Over-Scheduling Stress With 10 Smart Google Calendar Tips Avoid Over-Scheduling Stress With 10 Smart Google Calendar Tips The secret to de-stressing using a calendar is Simple:Cut out the things you don't need, take time for the things you love, and keep it all organized. Use these ten tips. Read more this week? Tell us in the comments section below.!