If you’ve ever tried to get more done in your day, you’ve probably used a to-do list or experimented with time blocking. Both methods are popular productivity tools—but they work in completely different ways. I spent a month trying both, one after the other, to see which one actually helped me get more done, feel less stressed, and stay on track. The results surprised me.
To-do lists are simple and familiar. You jot down everything you need to do, and check tasks off as you go. There’s something satisfying about crossing things off, and for a while, it worked. I had a clear idea of what needed to be done. But the problem? I constantly underestimated how long tasks would take. Some days I felt productive, but most days ended with half my list undone and a growing sense of guilt. The list got longer, and I started jumping between tasks without much structure. It helped me stay aware of tasks, but not manage my time.
Then I tried time blocking. Instead of writing a list, I took everything I needed to do and scheduled it into my calendar like appointments. Work tasks, lunch, errands, even breaks—I assigned everything a start and end time. This forced me to be realistic about what I could actually get done in a day. The first few days were tough. I had to adjust blocks constantly and deal with interruptions. But over time, I noticed a shift. I was more focused. Less overwhelmed. And tasks stopped bleeding into each other.
The best part about time blocking? It helped me protect my time. When a task had a dedicated block, I wasn’t multitasking or procrastinating. I was more present. It also gave me permission to stop working when the time was up. With a to-do list, I’d just keep going and feel burnt out. But with time blocks, I could wrap up and move on guilt-free.
That said, time blocking isn’t perfect. It takes effort to plan and re-plan your day, especially if things don’t go as expected. On crazy days, it felt like too much to manage. But overall, it helped me stay focused, realistic, and balanced.
So, what worked better? For me, time blocking won—but only when paired with a simple to-do list as a backup. I now use the list to brainstorm what needs to be done, and then block time on my calendar for the most important tasks. It’s the best of both worlds.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed or stuck in an endless cycle of unfinished lists, give time blocking a try. Even just blocking 2–3 focused hours can make a huge difference. In the end, the best system is the one that helps you do less reacting—and more intentionally working.
Subscribe by Email
Follow Updates Articles from This Blog via Email
No Comments