I came across an article recently that has me trying something new. At least new to me. It’s called timeboxing. The article was in the Harvard Business Review (HBR), and it was about becoming more productive. I’m all for being more productive, aren’t you?

Timeboxing is a simple time management technique that involves allotting a fixed, maximum unit of time for an activity in advance, and then completing the activity within that time frame. More importantly, it is taking your To Do list and building it out on your calendar. That long (and growing) list can be intimidating, and it often doesn’t relate to how long a job should take. Timeboxing can solve that, and has several other benefits, too.

The idea is to take your normal list of things to accomplish and assign them a place and time frame on your calendar. If you know a writing project will take an hour, you look at your weekly calendar and with the deadline in mind, find an appropriate place to block out for time to do the job. Simple.

Yes, it can get more complex, and there are apps, like Sunsama that can help you deal with multi-layered projects. For most of us, though, it is enough to control our time…our day… and get the job done in a timely way. I’m just getting started in using timeboxing, but I like it already.

The HBR article lists several advantages of timeboxing. Among them is the visual picture of your day or week, and the tasks you need to accomplish. If you share your calendar with others on your team, they also can see what you are working on, and they can see the time that is blocked out and (hopefully) not interrupt you at those times. HBR also points out that timeboxing gives you a comprehensive record of what you have done. One of the most important advantages is you will feel more in control and more content with what you are accomplishing. And, yes, you will be more productive.

So… how to get started? An article on timeboxing at Forbes.com lists these steps:

  1. Choose a system or app that will help you.
  2. Define the tasks that need to get done.
  3. Block the time on the calendar.
  4. Check the calendar to be sure you have the relevant tasks properly blocked with an adequate amount of time.
  5. Work at following your calendar. Trust your initial planning, then evaluate as you go. You are learning a new technique, and it will be a process.

As I was thinking through this (and seeking to stay within the time I set out on my calendar) I thought of Jesus’ teaching about constructing a building.

…who would begin construction of a building without first calculating the cost to see if there is enough money to finish it Otherwise, you might complete only the foundation before running out of money, and then everyone would laugh at you.

Luke 14: 28-29 NLT

How can you count the cost if you don’t measure it and plan for it?

Yes…Jesus was talking about discipleship here. A far more important application of this truth. But think about this. If your important things are being done in a timely way and you are less stressed over a long To Do list, don’t you think you can be a more effective disciple of Christ?

I’m working on this. I would love to hear what you have discovered if you toss out the To Do list and begin to timebox. And I would love to hear how the Lord is allowing you to be a better ambassador for Christ and His Gospel as a result.

God’s best,