Before I review again the Pomodoro Technique (genius!) I want to write about two methods for managing time on and off our jobs.

First: We can use “time blocking” to schedule into a shared calendar the blocks of time we’re using for specific projects. Listing the type of work we’re doing in each block.

Second: We can use “time boxing” to take time for ourselves. This will also allow us to rein in the time we devote to passion projects. So as to not let this time creep into the time we need for our commitments.

On and off our jobs we can use time blocking and time boxing.

The benefit is that these acts are simple strategies for managing our time.

What often leads to burnout is that we live our lives on (and off!) the jobs in reaction mode instead of being proactive. Everything that comes on our desk at that minute or all the invitations in our private life piling up are seen as emergencies. We think we have to resolve these things immediately when they come crashing into our days at the time we’re doing something else.

Multi-tasking by shifting our focus from one task to another repeatedly has been proven to be an ineffective tactic for getting work done. I remember the interviewer for one job telling me that I would have to be good at multi-tasking. This was decades ago and her crystal ball was broken. No need existed on that job for multi-tasking after all.

Slowing down and focusing is the secret to managing our work projects. If you have ADD or ADHD you might need to read a book about specific ways to develop workarounds for time management that take into account the challenges you have. I will research these kinds of books and get back to followers in here with the titles.

I took a burnout quiz. It showed I had no burnout. It is possible to halt burnout before it starts. In coming blog entries I will talk more about how to do this. I will talk about alleviating pressure on the job too. It’s the stress that leads to burnout. And stress doesn’t have to be inevitable on the job.