Does your to-do list feel more like a to-do novel? I’ve been there! Between work deadlines, family commitments, and trying to squeeze in a little “me time,” it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and unproductive. Enter the solution: these free printable time-blocking templates are a simple, yet incredibly effective way to take back control of your schedule and get things done!
🕙 What Is Time Blocking?
Time blocking is a fantastic time management method where you divide your day into specific blocks of time and assign tasks to each block.
Instead of a mixed to-do list, you’ll be scheduling your tasks in time blocks. It’s like Tetris for your schedule but instead of random blocks falling into place, they will be strategically grouped to fit perfectly.
Scheduling tasks in time blocks is an excellent planning method and I recommend it to anyone! It helps me focus on one task at a time, avoid distractions, and make the most of my day.
📝 What’s Included?
Take charge of your schedule with these free printable time blocking templates!
📌Daily Time Blocking Template – Plan your day hour by hour, maximizing productivity and focus.
📌Weekly Time Blocking Template – Map out your entire week to stay on top of deadlines and achieve your goals.
📌Both sheets feature a vertical layout, can be downloaded in a single PDF file for convenience, and were designed to print on US Letter paper (8.5×11″) for perfect results even on a home printer.
⏰ Daily Time Blocking Template
The daily template lets you manage even the smallest tasks from checking email to grabbing a cup of coffee.
There are 16 lines, each representing one hour, and you can assign tasks as low as 15-minute intervals.
It was designed to work for anyone’s schedule – night owls, early birds, and everyone in between! The hours are not pre-filled, so whenever your day starts, your time blocking starts too. No unusable lines!
You can also write your top 5 priorities and to-dos in dedicated spaces, as well as jot down important information in the notes section.
✅ How To Use
Time blocking isn’t rocket science! In fact, it’s super easy. Here’s the simple strategy I apply when I’m building the schedule for a day:
⭐Start With The Essentials – Begin by filling in your non-negotiables. These are the tasks or activities that have a set time (like meetings, appointments, or school drop-offs).
See how I’ve already blocked out time for my morning coffee, workout, breakfast, and responding to comments/scheduling in the afternoon? These are essential parts of my day as a food blogger!
⭐Identify Your Top Priorities – What are the most important tasks you need to accomplish today? Write those down in the “Top Priorities” section (you have space for 5).
⭐Fill in the Gaps – Now, look at the remaining open slots on your calendar. Break down larger projects into smaller tasks and assign them to specific time blocks.
⭐Be Realistic – Don’t overschedule yourself! Build in buffer time for unexpected interruptions or tasks that might take longer than expected. Notice how I assigned two hours to write a blog post draft – if I do it faster that’s great! I might take a break or finish a smaller task from my to-do list.
⭐Micro-Task Magic – Notice those 15-minute increments? They’re perfect for squeezing in quick wins like checking email, returning calls, or even taking a few minutes to meditate.
⭐Get Creative – Use the “To-Do” section to capture any tasks that don’t fit into a specific time block, or can be done any time of the day. You can always revisit these later and see where they might fit.
⭐Jot It Down – The “Notes” section is your catch-all for reminders, errands, or random thoughts that pop into your head.
⏳ Weekly Time Blocking Template
The weekly sheet gives you a bird’s eye view of the week’s priorities. Just like the daily spreadsheet, there are 16 hourly slots for each day of the week. Simple and functional!
I fill this sheet just like I do the daily one but there are a few minor differences and methods you can apply.
✅ How To Use
⭐Start With The Big Picture – Begin by jotting down recurring appointments, meetings, deadlines, or any other commitments you have for the week.
⭐Theme Your Days (Optional) – Depending on the type of work you are doing, assigning themes to each day, can be a way to increase productivity. For example, Mondays could be for meetings, Tuesdays for creative work, Wednesdays for errands, and so on.
⭐Divide and Conquer – Look at the remaining open spaces and start blocking out time for your most important tasks and projects. Then, use the daily time blocking template to break them down into smaller chunks if needed.
⭐Don’t Forget the Fun – Time blocking isn’t just about work! Make sure to schedule time for relaxation, hobbies, family time, and anything else that brings you joy.
⭐Review and Adjust – Take a few minutes each evening to review your schedule for the next day and make any necessary adjustments. This will help you stay on track and avoid feeling overwhelmed.
🖨️ Grab it Now
- Enter your name and email in the form below to unlock your free time-blocking templates.
- You’ll receive an email with a link to download the PDF file.
- Click the link, open the PDF with your preferred reader (like Adobe Acrobat), and print!
- Select the daily or weekly template (or both!) to match your planning needs.
Printing Tips:
- For best results, use standard US Letter (8.5″ x 11″) paper.
- Ensure your print settings are at 100% scale for accurate sizing.
More Planning & Productivity Printables
If you’re loving the power of time blocking, wait until you see the rest of my printable collection! I’m a bit of a planner addict (don’t judge!), and I’ve designed a variety of templates to help you crush your goals and live your best life.
- Daily Planner – Prefer the classic way of planning your day-to-day? My free printable daily planner template is perfect for jotting down to-do lists, appointments, and even tracking your water intake.
- Weekly Planner – If you’re a big-picture thinker, you’ll love my free weekly planner printable. It’s great for mapping out your week, setting goals, and staying on top of your most important tasks.
- Yearly Calendar – For those who like to plan ahead (high five!), my free 2024 yearly calendar printable provides a handy overview of the entire year, so you can schedule vacations, holidays, and important events well ahead.
- Dot Grid Paper – Whether you’re a bullet journaling enthusiast or just love a blank canvas for your ideas, my free dot grid paper printable is an effective tool for creative expression and planning.
The free printable time-blocking templates can be used alongside any of these resources. Mix and match to create a system that works best for you.
Remember, organization is a journey, not a destination!
Hi!
Ginny Collins is a passionate foodie and recipe creator of Savor and Savvy and Kitchenlaughter. Indoors she focuses on easy, quick recipes for busy families and kitchen basics. Outdoors, she focuses on backyard grilling and smoking to bring family and friends together. She is a lifelong learner who is always taking cooking classes on her travels overseas and stateside. Her work has been featured on MSN, Parade, Fox News, Yahoo, Cosmopolitan, Elle, and many local news outlets. She lives in Florida where you will find her outside on the water in her kayak, riding her bike on trails, and planning her next overseas adventure.
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