Feeling like your to-do list is growing faster than you can tackle it? Trust me, I’ve been there. As an ADHD entrepreneur, managing your time can feel like a full-time job in itself. I know how overwhelming it is for you when it comes to managing your day-to-day tasks manually. But there are certain time management techniques, like time-blocking and task batching, that can help boost productivity and actually help you complete tasks quicker. Today, we’re diving into those two popular approaches to see which might fit your ADHD brain best!
What is Time-Blocking?
Time-blocking is when you set aside specific chunks of time in your day to focus on certain tasks or categories of work. It’s like putting little appointment slots in your calendar just for you and your work.
It’s great for ADHD entrepreneurs because it can create structure in an otherwise chaotic day. When your brain is scattered, those pre-set time blocks can give you a roadmap for the day – so you don’t feel like you’re aimlessly jumping from task to task. We’ve all been there! It’s frustrating and a time suck. When you’re time-blocking, you’re only allowed to work on that specific task or category of work that you’ve already decided on. So even if you hear an email come through but you’re working on client work, you’re not allowed to do anything but the client work during that chunk of time.
The key to a successful time-blocking session is knowing your clear start and stop boundaries. Our beautiful ADHD brains love to procrastinate or hyperfocus, depending on the task. So when you’re time-blocking your day ahead of time, decide what time you’ll start and what time you’ll stop. The tricky part? Hard stops. Because let’s be real – sometimes getting started is tough, but once you’re in the groove, it’s hard to stop.
Use alarms to create hard boundaries between blocks. The only time you’re allowed to go over that time is if you’re literally almost done with the work. But if it’s going to take you more than 5 minutes, it’s time to move on and come back to it during your next time-blocking session for that task!
What is Task Batching?
Task batching is when you group similar tasks together to complete in one focused session. It’s like knocking out all your emails in one go, then switching to a creative block for social media content. No more ping-ponging between different types of tasks!
It works well for ADHD entrepreneurs because it reduces context-switching and allows for deeper focus on one type of task. For our ADHD brains, staying in one type of thinking mode (like creative work or admin tasks) can reduce the mental friction of switching gears constantly.
Here’s the thing: task batching sounds ah-maz-ing, but if you’re batching something tedious or not exciting to your brain, it’s easy to get overwhelmed or avoid it altogether. That’s obviously not the goal here! So make it a plan to batch the tasks that you enjoy first, then reward yourself when you complete those less exciting tasks. My favorite reward: a handful of peanut M&M’s when I finish the boring tasks!
Time-Blocking and Task Batching – Which is Better for ADHD?
Let’s talk the pros and cons real quick and give you a side-by-side comparison:
Time-Blocking Pros: Structure, flexibility for various tasks, creates a clear schedule.
Time-Blocking Cons: Can feel rigid, hard to follow when you get derailed, tricky to handle interruptions.
Time Batching Pros: Focuses on one task type, minimizes context-switching, allows deep work on specific projects.
Time Batching Cons: Overwhelming if the task isn’t fun or rewarding, requires discipline to stick to one type of task for an extended period.
Which method is best depends on Y-O-U! It really depends on your personal work styles and the tasks that you need to complete. If you love variety and need structure, time-blocking might be your jam. But if you prefer to stay in one zone for longer, batching similar tasks might give you that sweet sense of flow.
How to Combine Both for Maximum Efficiency
Why choose one method when you can do them together?! Block off a couple of hours in your calendar and dedicate it to a batch of similar tasks – like all your admin work or creative tasks. That way, you get the benefits of both! I’m currently doing that right now. I’ve time-blocked my day and I’m time batching blog posts for the next few weeks as we speak.
Start with short blocks and batches to ease into the flow, and adjust based on what feels natural to your energy levels and focus. If there’s a task that you are not excited about doing, but you need to knock it out, set a timer for 30 minutes or an hour and see how much you can get done in that time. Once the timer goes off, you don’t worry about it again until the next time you’ve time blocked for that task!
Practical Examples of Time-Blocking and Task Batching
If you’re thinking “This is great and all, but how in the heck do I get started?,” then I’ve got you!
Example 1: The Hybrid Schedule – Time-Blocking + Task Batching
Block your mornings for deep work while your brain is still fresh and awake. Batch all your admin tasks in the afternoon. Leave some buffer time in between for creative projects. That way, you’re not cramming everything into one slot but also not switching tasks constantly. Do this every day for a week and see how you like it!
Example 2: Batching for Content Creation
On Mondays, block off 2 hours for content creation. Batch brainstorming, writing captions, designing images and scheduling posts for the week. No more scattered social media sessions, because you knock them out in one sitting, woot woot! (If this feels like too much in the beginning, break it into two sessions: one for brainstorming and writing, the other for designing and scheduling. Baby steps!)
Finding What Works Best for YOU
My goal for you is to experiment with both methods and find a balance that fits your unique ADHD brain. Whether you’re a time-blocking queen, a task-batching pro, or somewhere in between, it’s all about finding what gives you focus and flow. Flexibility is key here! You can adapt these methods to your changing energy levels and focus needs. What works one week may not work the next. Tweak this to work for you and don’t be hard on yourself!
Remember, there’s no “right” way to manage your time. It’s all about what makes you feel productive, less stressed and more in control. You’ve got this! And I’m here to support you along the way.
Want more ADHD-friendly business tips? Grab my free guide on How I Saved 5 Hours a Week with Gmail Labels & Filters or follow me on Instagram for more ways to streamline and simplify your entrepreneurial journey!
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