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There are several time management techniques that highly productive people use to remain productive. One of this technique is time boxing . Time boxing involves allocating a fixed time period to a planned task.

That is going into agreement with yourself that each of your activity for the day will be placed in a box of time. In essence, you take your entire time for a specific day and divide it into time boxes and assign each activity to a time box.

If you are you struggling to get stuff done, desiring to increase your level of productivity or finding it difficult to focus on your most important tasks, this time management technique will serve you greatly.

Since I learnt of this technique, I have been able to deal with the distractions that steal my productive time. I have also become more focused. And as a result, I have not only become more conscious of how I use my time but I have also become “super productive”.

Regarding the use of my time, I am always guided by the words of Brain Tracy who said;

“there is never enough time to do everything, but there is always enough time to do the most important things”.

These words or quote from Brian Tracy to me sums up the core relevance of time management technique like box timing.

In other words, I believe that the fundamental objective of time boxing – all other time management techniques – is to get us to unapologetically focus on our most important tasks until they are completed.

Below is how the time box technique works.

#1 Divide your time into chunks of 45 to 60 minutes

We all have available to us 24 hours in a day. Time boxing helps you to maximise how you use this 24 hour. In my case, I usually divide my time into chunks of 45 or 60 minutes. To each of the chunk 45 minutes or 60 minutes I assign a particular task.

If you want to increase your level of productivity, manage you time effectively and get most of your high priority tasks done, I suggest you divide you time into chunks of 45 minutes.

This means that within that 45minutes you will focus on a particular task. I use egg timer to make sure I don’t exceed the 45 minutes or 60 munities duration.

#2 Schedule breaks

To effectively apply time boxing, you need to schedule breaks between each time box. After your first 45 or 60 minutes of unapologetic focus on a specific task, take a break for 5 or 7 minutes.

In effect, there should be at least 5 or 7 munities break after your first 45 or 60 minutes of work. Increase the break time to 15 munities after your second 45 or 60 minutes.

So, alternate between short and long breaks. During these breaks it important you move away from the computer mentally and physically.

You can take a walk around your office or home, do some stretches or drink some water. But be sure not to exceed the times allocated for the breaks.

#3 Deal with a single activity during each time box

During each time box you should focus on a single activity. Concentrate exclusively on a specific activity. For example, you are working on a blog post. You should focus on the blog post and nothing else.

If it means taking three of the 45 or 60 minutes time boxes to finish the post, do it. Avoid multitasking. The goal here is to maximise the use of your time by getting activities of high priority done.

#4 Eliminate distractions

Time box is a distraction free technique. To effectively apply this technique, you have to make a point to eliminate all forms of distractions. This is very important.

Close all web browsers if your activity has nothing to do with the internet. Log off from all your social media accounts if the activity has nothing to do with them as well. Put your phone on silence, vibration or put it off.

Anything that you don’t need for the specific task need to be far away from your working environment. Similarly, anything that will cause you to shift focus from the main task at hand needs to be totally eliminated.

I am writing this out of experience. Every morning I block time to read. Usually for 30minutes. Sometimes while I am reading and my phone will ring. Almost always it’s a candy crash game invite. Truth be told, I don’t play games.

However, once I hookup onto the phone, 10 to 15 minutes of my time will be wasted. Same thing with social media. They steal your productive time. Please do your very best to eliminate them.

#5 Create a high performing environment

Finally, create the kind of environment that supports you. I prefer to have my desk cleared of all paper work. I sometimes play country music softly as I work. I also have empowering quotes on my desk that helps to keep me going.

I don’t know much about you. But I suggest you create the perfect environment that will help you to effectively use the time box technique to increase your productivity.

Conclusion

This time management technique will not only help you increase your level of productivity but also help you free up some time for people within your inner circle; your spouse, children, parents and other siblings.

I strongly believe that living a winning life also thrives on being a highly productive person. It is therefore important you master this time boxing technique and other time management techniques as you strive to be become the true winner that you were created to be.

Remember that winners are productive people. If you have been using time boxing as a time management and productivity technique, please share some of your tips and success stories with us using the comment box below.

If you also find this article useful please leave your comments, suggestions and questions. I will personally review them. You are truly born to win. Stay motivated! Stay Blessed.