*Post contains affiliate links.
Some days, I stare at my to-do list and feel like I’m already behind before I’ve even had my coffee. There’s so much to do!
- Brushing up on my skills
- Proofreading projects
- Chip away at the course I’m taking
- Write a blog post
- Schedule LinkedIn
But then there’s personal stuff too:
- Take the dog out
- Eat lunch
- Do the laundry
And I might even need to use the bathroom at some point!
Do you have days like this, too?
I used to try to juggle everything, hoping all the pieces would magically fall into place. But most days ended with me feeling scattered, frustrated, and bitter—busy—but not productive.
Sound familiar?
Finally, I discovered time blocking and the Pomodoro technique. Combining time blocking and Pomodoro has helped me schedule my day more effectively. It has also reduced my stress and helped me improve focus and productivity. Now, at the end of the day, I feel like I’ve accomplished something instead of feeling unproductive.
This post will show you how I plan my day with time blocks and the Pomodoro technique. But first, what is time blocking and Pomodoro?
What Is Time Blocking?
Time blocking is a time management technique where you divide your day into blocks of time. You dedicate a specific task to each block. For example, you might schedule client work from 9 am to 11 am. So, instead of the never-ending to-do list, you will have a schedule outlining what you will work on and when.
I love time blocking because it:
- provides structure (which I need!)
- books productivity
- helps me stay focused on one task at a time
- keeps me organized
If you’re interested in learning more about time blocking, Julie from The Proofreader Greenhouse has an excellent course teaching you everything you need to know.
What is the Pomodoro Technique?
The Pomodoro Technique breaks down work tasks into 25-minute intervals, which are known as pomodoros. At the end of each interval, you take a short 5-minute break, with a longer break after the fourth interval. (You can adjust the time intervals and the break time lengths.)
I love the Pomodoro Technique because it:
- keeps me focused without getting distracted
- helps me get organized
- helps me start on a project that I’m putting off because I’m too overwhelmed
- helps me use my time wisely so I reach my goals
- reduces my stress level
Sanjana Gupta wrote an informative article on the Pomodoro Technique at Very Well Mind.
How I Combine Time Blocking and Pomodoro to Improve Focus and Productivity
Time blocking gives me a clear structure for my day. I assign specific chunks of time to different tasks, like client work, writing a blog post, or learning.
However, I’ve found that even though I have my day scheduled and tasks blocked off, I can still get distracted and have trouble focusing on the tasks.
But I learned that combining time blocking with the Pomodoro Technique lets me work in short sprints, which helps me stay focused.
Here’s an example of my day:
I keep an ongoing to-do list (that’s a mile long!) in a notebook.
Each day, I take the most important items from my list and schedule them for the morning. These are the priority items that need to get done ASAP, such as emails and client work. I choose morning because early hours are my power hours when my brain is most focused.
After I have the most important items scheduled, I pick one or two more items to work on in the afternoon.
Here’s how my schedule may look on Monday:
I also block out time for any appointments and even rest days. Because sometimes we just need a mental health day. I’ve also seen time blocking schedules that include the entire day, from the time they wake up until bedtime.
Each day is different, of course. And your day is going to look a lot different from mine!
How You Can Start Combining Time Blocking with Pomodoro
Time management for freelancers is so important. (Trust me—I learned the hard way!) Heres how you can combine time blocking with the Pomodoro Technique so you can have a more productive and less stressful day.
Step 1: List Your Tasks
Start by writing down all the things you regularly need to do. Include everything—from work tasks like client projects and creative work to personal responsibilities like laundry, walking the dog, doctor appointments, or lunch breaks. Don’t forget things like learning, marketing, or even rest!
Step 2: Group Tasks into Categories
Once you’ve got your list, group similar tasks together. For example:
- Client work (editing, proofreading, communicating)
- Creative work (writing blog posts, brainstorming content, marketing)
- Admin tasks (invoicing, email, scheduling)
- Personal (lunch, dog walks, household chores)
- Learning (online courses, reading, skill practice)
Grouping tasks makes it easier to block out your time. The brain’s categorization processes help in decision-making and organizing tasks, which can cause a sense of productivity. When you break down tasks into smaller, manageable categories or steps, it can make them less overwhelming and easier to tackle, reducing the mental resistance that often leads to procrastination.
Step 3: Assign Time Blocks
Now it’s time to plug those task categories into your calendar. Think in chunks—90 minutes or 2 hours is a great place to start. Try to match tasks to the time of day when your energy is highest. For me, that looks like this:
- Morning: Deep focus tasks like proofreading or writing
- Midday: Admin or learning
- Afternoon: Lighter tasks or errands
Make sure to leave buffer time between blocks so your day doesn’t feel rushed.
Step 4: Use Pomodoro Inside Each Block
Once you’re in a time block, use the Pomodoro Technique to stay focused. Here’s how I do it:
- Work for 25 minutes
- Take a 5-minute break
- Repeat for 3–4 sessions, then take a longer break (15–30 minutes)
This helps me stay focused and feel less overwhelmed throughout the day. By the end of my workday, I’m not stressed and I feel more productive.
Step 5: Review and Adjust
At the end of the day or week, check in with yourself:
- Did your blocks feel realistic?
- Were your Pomodoros focused or interrupted?
- Do you need more breaks or shorter blocks?
Combining time blocking and Pomodoro will take some getting used to. You may need to adjust it a little bit until it fits you just right. And that’s okay!
Remember: this is one of those scheduling techniques that only works when it’s flexible and personalized to your brain and your lifestyle.
What I Learned
When I started time blocking, I had this great schedule laid out. The only problem was that it looked great on paper. In real life, it didn’t work well for me at all.
It took me a while and a lot of adjustments to figure out what worked best. And to this day, I’m still making adjustments! Life happens and as a freelancer, we have to learn how to work around it.
Some days, my dog needs to go out more than other days. At the beginning of the year, I got the flu and was in bed for almost two weeks. During the time I was recovering, my husband tore his calf muscle and couldn’t walk for a couple of weeks. That left all the chores and errands up to me.
Finding a good freelance routine with an amazing daily workflow isn’t easy, especially when you work from home. Learning how to balance work and home life and set boundaries is so important.
Combining time blocking and Pomodoro helped tremendously. During the Pomodoro breaks, I do a household chore or take the dog out. That way, I’m keeping up with my work and the house is getting clean. And weekends are no longer spent cleaning the house all day.
Final Thoughts
If your to-do list feels like it’s running your life instead of the other way around, you’re not alone. However, with a little bit of planning and the right tools, you can take back your day. Time blocking gives your schedule structure, and the Pomodoro Technique helps you stay focused and productive—one tiny habit at a time.
Combining time blocking and Pomodoro has made a tremendous difference in my workdays, and I hope it can do the same for you. Start small, experiment with what works best for your rhythm, and give yourself grace as you adjust.
Have you tried time blocking or Pomodoro? I’d love to hear what’s working for you—or what’s been a struggle. Drop a comment or send me a message. Let’s encourage each other as we build better routines, one block (and 🍅!) at a time.
Learn more about time blocking and the Pomodoro Technique: