If you’ve ever looked at your calendar and wondered how you’re supposed to fit it all in—strategic planning, team meetings, launches, decks, stakeholder alignment, not to mention everything outside of work—you’re in good company.

Many of the women leaders I coach, especially in product marketing and corporate leadership roles, describe a constant tension between high performance and limited time. I’ve felt it too—especially when I was launching my first business while balancing parenting and graduate school.

One of the most game-changing tools I adopted to create clarity and reduce that mental load?
Time blocking.

What’s Time Blocking?

Time blocking is the intentional practice of assigning specific blocks of time—and even full days—to recurring tasks and categories of work. It creates structure not just in your calendar, but in your brain, so you’re not constantly deciding what to prioritize.

Think of it like a personalized operating system—for both work and life.

This is especially helpful if you’re juggling multiple strategic initiatives, managing a team, or working cross-functionally in a fast-moving environment. And yes, it’s just as powerful for planning your personal commitments—like meal prep, workouts, or laundry—so they don’t get pushed aside.

How to Start:

1. Grab a piece of paper (or open a blank doc)
   Create three columns: Daily, Weekly, and Monthly.
2. List your recurring tasks in each column
   For each, estimate how much time they realistically take. Be honest—but don’t overinflate. If unsure, time yourself next time you do the task.
3. Assign time blocks
   Look at your calendar and determine when it makes the most sense to tackle these tasks.
   • Maybe Fridays from 12–2pm become your standing block for admin and follow-ups.
   • Maybe you reserve Monday mornings for strategic thinking and messaging work.
   • Laundry? Sunday afternoon. Non-negotiable.
4. Put it on your calendar
   Treat these blocks like meetings—with yourself. When you’re blocked to do financial reviews or prep for product reviews, don’t schedule over it. That’s your time to get it done.

The beauty of this system is that it reduces decision fatigue. You’re no longer wondering when you’ll “get to” something—it’s already scheduled. And it prevents that creeping backlog that leads to burnout.

One Final Thought:

Time blocking isn’t about doing more—it’s about being more intentional with your time and energy. As a leader, your attention is one of your most valuable assets. Time blocking helps you protect it.

Next time you feel like the hours don’t add up, try this. Your calendar—and your sanity—will thank you.