The Myth of the Rigid Calendar: Time Blocking for Creative Freedom
When you hear “time blocking,” you might picture a rigid, color-coded calendar that leaves no room for spontaneity. For a creative entrepreneur, that sounds like a nightmare.
But what if we reframed it? Time blocking isn’t about controlling your time; it’s about creating time. It’s the practice of giving every hour a job, so your most important work—your creative work—doesn’t get pushed aside by the urgent but unimportant.
A creative’s to-do list is often a vague collection of big ideas. Time blocking forces you to translate those ideas into concrete actions. Instead of “work on new project,” you schedule “9-11 AM: Brainstorm outline for Project X.” You are creating a container for your focus to fill.
This isn’t about scheduling every minute. It’s about scheduling your priorities. Block out time for deep creative work, for client calls, for admin, and—crucially—for “white space” and rest. Your calendar becomes a reflection of your values, not a list of obligations. It’s the ultimate tool for ensuring you spend your precious energy on what truly matters.
Actionable Nurturing Step: Look at your schedule for tomorrow. Find one 90-minute slot. Block it off and label it “Deep Work.” When that time comes, close all other tabs and prioritize that appointment as your top priority.
Thank you = you reminded me of former behavior. It is now new to me, again.
Kim: This is a good idea, though I would often find a 90 minute block of time intimidating – the ‘blank piece of paper’ effect. Perhaps there’s also room for blocking shorter periods?
One of my teachers recommends taking ‘Tea with the Muse’ early in the day, and commit to studio time each week.
A technique i used shortly after graduating from her Intentional Creativity teacher training was to do some calendar pages in my journal.
These weren’t marked in a grid – rather I used watercolors to mark rough circles, and wrote goals/ ideas for the month. I various some of those forward to the next months…
A decade later, the ‘monthly Red Thread Circles’ has expanded to bimonthly (virtual) Circles!
My idea to contact the local TV ‘Arts Alive’ host was manifest a couple of years later – she had ‘retired’ – but the host of a sinks program saw me at an event, and invited me to be his guest!! …. intention in action!
This is a good reminder for me, as a writer who is now writing full time from home. I can see how this will be helpful as I plan my day!