Time blocking is a thing because human beings are terrible at multitasking. Dividing your day into chunks of time can help you get more done by focusing on one thing at a time. But it can also re-motivate you if you’re having a bad day. This blog will talk about how to use time blocking by dividing your day into four quadrants. This time blocking technique is known at the four quarters method. Here’s what you need to know about how this new approach can jump start your productivity for 2023.
What is the Four Quarters Method?
Task compartmentalization is at the heart of the four quarters method. Four quarters requires that you begin to think of your day in four increments:
- Morning 5:00 am to 9:00 am
- Late morning 10:00 am to 1:00 pm
- Afternoon 2:00 pm to 7:00 pm
- Evening 7:00 pm to bedtime
If you wake up tired and look at your day as a marathon to slog through, this type of time blocking is a great way to incentivize and motivate your behavior. Why? Because you end up looking at your day in short sprints instead of a marathon. That may be exactly what you need to increase your productivity and even change your mood.
Benefits of Four Quarters
The benefit of the four quarters system is that it allows us a fresh start four times a day. Say you get up late and stress out because you ended up running behind. That’s fine because at 10 am your day has a reset. It’s a new quarter and you can start fresh. This allows you to move beyond any pitfalls affecting your day. It’s a mindset adjuster that lets you to leave negativity from the last quarter behind and start fresh.
Four quarters allow you to change up the day and not get stuck in the mindset that the entire day is blown, wasted, or just negative. Four quarters capitalizes on the natural optimism that comes from starting something fresh. Basically, it’s a trick to restart your mood, attitude, and behaviors. Even one good quarter a day can be motivating and inspiring.
How to Get Started with Four Quarters
A good way to jump start your four quarters system is to take a break between each time block. Did you note there is an hour in between quarters? This allows you a little breathing space to get up, move around, and get some perspective. You can take a shower, grab a coffee, or slip in a quick dog walk if you’re working from home. This can be particularly helpful in the home setting when you start to feel like every day is the same with no breaks and no change of scenery. Could this time blocking technique help if you’re beginning to feel the insidious signs of burnout? Possibly.
As we move into the New Year, you’re probably thinking about self-improvement. The four quarters system may be just what you need to hit your goals in 2023.
Thinking about a career change next year? Make it your goal to call PrideStaff Thousand Oaks. We help talented individuals reach their career goals every day. What are you waiting for?
