In the world of Bullet Journaling, it's all about doing what matters most in the finite time we have. To do this, we can leverage two powerful time management techniques: time blocking and time boxing. They sound similar, but they serve different purposes and can transform how we manage our days.

As its name suggests, “time blocking” involves protecting a specific block of time in your day for a particular task. It’s a proactive barrier against incoming requests and distractions. This helps you focus fully on the task, ensuring it gets done. For me this is often about protecting my mornings. That’s when I have the highest levels of creativity, discipline, and energy.

Where time blocking is about protecting your time from others, time boxing is about protecting your time from yourself. Time boxing is about setting a limit on how long you get to work on a task. For things you love to do, it prevents you from taking time away from other important things that may not be as fun. I can easily spend too much time getting the newsletter or a presentation just right, at the expense of other things that are important. For things we dread, time boxing can manage the amount of time spent, for example, “I will only spend 15 minutes on this email.” Lastly, for those of us who thrive on a sense of urgency, capping the time we have for a task might help us stay focused rather than drift into procrastination.

These techniques ensure you start and finish actions efficiently. Without a time block, you might not start. Without a time box, you might not stop. Both help you maintain balance, focus, and productivity, making sure you take the time for what matters most.