Lauren Rodych-Eberle
Calgary, Alberta, CANADA

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Block Scheduling for Productivity
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Blog, Entrepreneur, Wellness

Block Scheduling for Productivity

December 18, 2019
-
Posted by Lauren Rodych-Eberle

I’ve been block scheduling since probably forever…truly. But, I’ve been intentionally block scheduling since University, and got even more into it once I started working full-time (plus part-time, plus more part-time…it really helps you keep multiple jobs/priorities/entrepreneur-duties in check!). I’ve talked about the book 168 Hours by Laura Vanderkam before, and she does this wonderfully, along with helping you see where you are spending your time currently.

A lot of people probably block schedule unintentionally – I mean, we all block in our work week, extracurricular activities that are on a time table, getting kids to school and their activities that are required at an exact time. But, where the block scheduling really comes in handy is all those other lost hours where you think, “what did I just do with my time?”

The How

I’m sure there are apps for block scheduling, and you can also use your phone calendar if you like. What I do is go old school (perhaps) and use an Excel spreadsheet. I love being able to spread it all out and see it, and then adjust accordingly.

I’m also not a crazy stickler and I adjust my block schedule as things come up – if a friend is having a birthday party, I’m not going to say no, because I have my food prep time blocked in – I will just move things around. That’s the great thing about the blocks…you actually know where your free time is!

The Why

Keep in mind, I re-do this block schedule every year as things change. Once I have it going, I also get into the habit of it, so I don’t have to refer to it every hour, ya know what I mean??

What’s tricky is that I don’t really have a “consistent schedule” (as I’m sure most of us don’t) for the reasons that I spend some of my time in New York and some of my time in Alberta, and those schedules look different; I’m an entrepreneur, so my job is not a consistent 9am-5pm, and it can change weekly; My husband works away a lot and only gets random days off (such as a random Wednesday), so scheduling in our “together time” constantly needs to change. But, I don’t let these things get in the way of creating the consistency that I can!

So, I don’t look at block scheduling as a sentence that I’m locked into; I look at it as a guide that helps me spend time how I actually want to!

Making It Happen!

Here is an example I created of a 9-5 job, to help anyone who is interested in getting started. You will see as you go along that there are quite a bit of hours of “Free Time,” so you can decide if that time should be spent adding more hours to the other categories, like working out and food prep, or if you just have more categories that need to be considered, such as kids’ activities, date night, etc.

.1. I open up an Excel Spread sheet and mark the top with Monday to Sunday and mark the left hand side with times (I like to do 30-minute increments from 6:30am to 11pm, but you can do whichever increment and start and end time you would like).

2. I start to mark in the big things that I know need to happen at a particular time. Ie. Work (for me this is broken into teaching, lesson prep, Pampered Chef and cookbooks, and website), and scheduled workouts/classes. As I go, I pick a colour to highlight these with for consistency, so for example, maybe you would like to make “working out” always green (this colour-coding can be done after if you like, especially if you think you will move stuff around in the schedule).

3. On the side, or even on a piece of paper, I have all the other things that I want to fit in marked down: Meditation, Getting Ready, Meals & Food Prep, Making Music, Reading, and Free Time. Other people may have things like: Commute, and Drive Kids to school and activities (Random Tip: always bring a book with you for when you’re waiting around!). I always try to think of ways I can double up – such as, making your commute time also reading time (if you’re on a train), or making your workout time also friend time! Get creative!!

4. That’s really it! Then you can print this out, or save it on your phone, and start referring to it, so time doesn’t just slip by unknowingly. I still have a paper calendar where I write my weekly schedule in, but this serves as my guide for all those weeks.

Two other tips:
**I always have a list in my phone each day for the consistent things I want to do every single day that serves as a check list, such as: Meditate, Stretch, Workout, etc.
**I make a list of
what I want to do in my “free time” section, partly on the regular, but also through bucket lists, so that “free time” doesn’t turn into wasted/not-enjoyed time. My list may have things like: go hiking, explore my city, get caught up with a friend, etc.

I hope this was helpful for those who were interested, and soon I’ll put an ask out on Insta, so I can do a Q & A about anything that needs more clarification!

December 18, 2019
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I’m Lauren and I have a deep passion for music, food, the outdoors, and travel. I love random questions and fun facts, and am always searching for better ways to bring wellness and health into my life. I am the owner of Miss Lauren’s Music Studio, where I teach voice, piano, ukulele, and preschool music classes – via Skype and within Calgary. I am a Senior Consultant for Pampered Chef, which has inspired me over the years to write two cookbooks (plus one mini ebook cookbook), that have food preparation made easy in the forefront.
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I wish everyone in the world had my parents as the I wish everyone in the world had my parents as their parents. 

Last night not only did they play with Collins while I worked, but they made dinner, did all the dishes, did laundry, ran a bath, and loved us fiercely. Getting this time in Calgary with them is always so precious, but last night I was in tears at their love and support. 

Honestly, I say it every time, but I won the parent lottery 😭
My Beginner Piano eCourse is fully out in the worl My Beginner Piano eCourse is fully out in the world!!

As of yesterday, the full course is released, and this wave of relief just washed over me!! The amount of time, energy, and resources that goes into these courses is more than I would have ever known, but I’m so happy, and grateful to have them available to people for a lifetime, and also to have a way to continue to offer music to many more people, in many more homes, for unlimited time!!

Tomorrow I’ll release a blog that will answer all the top questions I’ve been asked about my Preschool Music eCourse and my Beginner Piano eCourse, so you can see if they are a fit for you or anyone you know!!

But now, tell me a goal you’re dreaming up - work-related or not!! 
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#mlmusicstudioecourse #misslaurensmusicstudio #onlinemusiclessons #preschoolmusic #beginnerpiano #beginnerpianolessons  #musiconline #onlinemusiclessons
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2. I’ve always had multiple jobs from the time I was a teenager…I sum it up to me thinking that variety is the spice of life. 

3. I believe ketchup and mustard belong on breakfast egg sandwiches. 

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5. Even though I said variety is the spice of life, I am wildly good with repetition for an incredible amount of time…the same food, the same song, the same walk…I don’t know if it’s patience or just insanity, but I don’t get sick of the same thing over and over and over and over and over again. 

Give me a fun fact about you!!

#legettingtoknowyou #thebigisland #kona #hawaii #fivefunfacts
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#lepamperedchef #browniepaneverydamnday #bananachocolatechipmuffins #glutenfree #dairyfree #cookbook2point0
“I'll take myself from the only home we've ever “I'll take myself from the only home we've ever shared together and I'll move wherever you need to go. I'll do that because I love you. I love you, and that's more important to me than our address. I choose us.”

My brother sent me this quote from The Family Man and it gave me chills. That sums it up. That’s [hockey] life. I choose him…🤍
I know y’all had high hopes for me at the beginn I know y’all had high hopes for me at the beginning of the season that I’d attend a record amount of hockey games, but I can tell you, that has not happened…oops. 

Still his #1 (and 2) fan. Go J…🏒 #gokraken
I wish everyone in the world had my parents as the I wish everyone in the world had my parents as their parents. 

Last night not only did they play with Collins while I worked, but they made dinner, did all the dishes, did laundry, ran a bath, and loved us fiercely. Getting this time in Calgary with them is always so precious, but last night I was in tears at their love and support. 

Honestly, I say it every time, but I won the parent lottery 😭
My Beginner Piano eCourse is fully out in the worl My Beginner Piano eCourse is fully out in the world!!

As of yesterday, the full course is released, and this wave of relief just washed over me!! The amount of time, energy, and resources that goes into these courses is more than I would have ever known, but I’m so happy, and grateful to have them available to people for a lifetime, and also to have a way to continue to offer music to many more people, in many more homes, for unlimited time!!

Tomorrow I’ll release a blog that will answer all the top questions I’ve been asked about my Preschool Music eCourse and my Beginner Piano eCourse, so you can see if they are a fit for you or anyone you know!!

But now, tell me a goal you’re dreaming up - work-related or not!! 
.
.
.
#mlmusicstudioecourse #misslaurensmusicstudio #onlinemusiclessons #preschoolmusic #beginnerpiano #beginnerpianolessons  #musiconline #onlinemusiclessons
I feel like we haven’t seen J for all of 2022, b I feel like we haven’t seen J for all of 2022, but at least C gets some moments like this!!🤍
I’m overdue for 5 Fun Facts, so let’s pair it I’m overdue for 5 Fun Facts, so let’s pair it with these five fun photos!

1. I didn’t like anything grapefruit before I had Collins, and now I’m always like, “Give me all the grapefruit sparkling water!”

2. I’ve always had multiple jobs from the time I was a teenager…I sum it up to me thinking that variety is the spice of life. 

3. I believe ketchup and mustard belong on breakfast egg sandwiches. 

4. If you asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up, I would have said “a mom!” I still think it’s the greatest gift in the whole entire world. 

5. Even though I said variety is the spice of life, I am wildly good with repetition for an incredible amount of time…the same food, the same song, the same walk…I don’t know if it’s patience or just insanity, but I don’t get sick of the same thing over and over and over and over and over again. 

Give me a fun fact about you!!

#legettingtoknowyou #thebigisland #kona #hawaii #fivefunfacts
You are my sunshine…☀️ You are my sunshine…☀️
How long do a dozen muffins last in your house?! . How long do a dozen muffins last in your house?!
.
.
.
#lepamperedchef #browniepaneverydamnday #bananachocolatechipmuffins #glutenfree #dairyfree #cookbook2point0
“I'll take myself from the only home we've ever “I'll take myself from the only home we've ever shared together and I'll move wherever you need to go. I'll do that because I love you. I love you, and that's more important to me than our address. I choose us.”

My brother sent me this quote from The Family Man and it gave me chills. That sums it up. That’s [hockey] life. I choose him…🤍
I know y’all had high hopes for me at the beginn I know y’all had high hopes for me at the beginning of the season that I’d attend a record amount of hockey games, but I can tell you, that has not happened…oops. 

Still his #1 (and 2) fan. Go J…🏒 #gokraken
Grateful for friends who pack extra jackets, just Grateful for friends who pack extra jackets, just in case ours may not make it’s way into the car. The adventure must go on!! 

Owe you one @gallimore.family.adventures & @tgmiscellany with the backup to my backup!!

Are you 1. The friend who always packs extras? Or 2. The grateful one…🤣?
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Owner of Miss Lauren’s Music Studio. Author of the Brownie Pan Every Damn Day Cookbooks. Consultant for Pampered Chef. Lover of Random Questions.

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