When it Comes to Deep Work I Embrace Empty Days the Cal Newport Way
Why time blocking and deep work are the perfect match for making unstructured days feel more productive.
My failed attempt at time blocking
Time blocking is a productivity technique that involves scheduling specific blocks of time for different tasks. By breaking the day up into chunks designated for focusing on one task at a time you can avoid distractions, which leads to you being more efficient with your time.
I recently tried creating my own system for time blocking, but I ran into an issue: it was too rigid because I treated time blocking like a rinse-and-repeat routine. I devised a timetable for how my "ideal day" would run, which I then ran across the entire week like a mindless groundhog day.
It was no surprise that my first attempt at time blocking didn't work well as I found the regimented and perpetual structure suffocating, it also activated the mutiny mode of my inner rebel. And so, the reason my first experiment created massive resistance in me was because I felt totally uninspired to follow day after day of blah, devoid of novel experiences or spontaneity.
The end result was I quickly gave up on time blocking, at least that was what I thought until I watched this interview Ryan Holiday did with Cal Newport regarding time blocking the ‘empty days’.
‘Empty Days’ - it’s not what you think!
Empty Days aren’t necessarily a day to lay in a hammock and do absolutely nothing except sip piña coladas, but rather they are unstructured, clear days that are free from meetings or urgent tasks where you can get on with “deep work*” undisturbed.
My empty days are vital for working on my business rather than for my business. These are the days when I can dive into the deep work - the work that brings me the greatest sense of fulfilment and satisfaction because it’s the work that’s most in alignment with my higher purpose.
Not Busy + Time Blocking = Productivity Nirvana?
I thought I’d given up on time blocking because I’d abandoned my rigid time table, but that wasn’t quite the case. Instead, I’d actually switched to using a daily insert within my paper planner system, this was where I could map out my day into slots of time on a running schedule of 30 minute increments. It only occurred to me after I watch the Cal Newport interview that I was in fact still time blocking - so obvious now with hindsight.
Here's the thing: I had resisted using daily inserts in my planner because I was convinced my days weren't busy enough to warrant daily planning. I didn't have a schedule full of meetings or important tasks every day, so what was the point of using time-bound dailies when a weekly insert was more than enough to map out what was going on, and I could use a weekly timetable to rinse and repeat? But that way of thinking was wrong!
How can daily planning be vital to non-busy days?
And this brings me back to the “empty days” concept where I get to do the deep work. The reason I’d decided to give daily planner inserts a go was because I realised my days lacked structure, however, I didn’t want the groundhog day of a timetable based structure, so daily planning seemed like the next logical thing to test out.
My a-ha moment with daily planning
I discovered that by using a daily planning routine, I was able to maximize my efficiency. I took my to-do list, top priorities, goals, projects and next actions, and assigned them blocks of time for completion. This method allowed me to quickly see what I could realistically achieve in the time available, which also reduce the time I wasted on distractions because I was cognisant of how it would have a knock-on effect.
How I do daily time-blocking
To time-block my day ahead I quickly plan it out my the night before or the morning of by looking at my monthly and weekly schedule where I usually note tasks, meetings, goals and projects. I keep that daily in sight and cross off each task block of time as I go. Ahhh, there’s nothing quite like the deeply satisfying sound of a highlighter running across paper as it marks a task off the list!
When I’m planning out what I should focus for the day I keep the Task Management Matrix to hand, that way I can reality check for what truly needs to be done vs what can be delegated or deferred.
Plus, my free spirited creative side (aka “inner rebel”) is kept happy because this system still allows for daily spontaneity.
Time blocking bottom line
By not giving up after my initial failures I was able to make daily time blocking a secret weapon for getting the most out of my "empty days". Whether you're self-employed and working from home or in an office for a corporate job - time blocking your seemingly idle days can help you focus on what really matters and achieve your goals.
Until next time Planner Friend, check out the recommendations below…
Chloe x
* Affiliate links — Please note: As an Amazon Associate I earn from any qualifying purchases you may make after clicking these links.
Book recommendation
Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World - Cal Newport*
Insert recommendation
Undated Daily with Cover and Notes, printable planner insert from Keshinomi (paid members of Planning with Chloe can download this insert for free during April 2023).