Does anyone here time block their calendar? How do you do so without seeming inaccessible for meetings?

likehelpful
Posting as :
works at
You are currently posting as works at

Just block off work time and let people deal with it. If the meeting is a true emergency it will still show up on your calendar and you can mark it as tentative. Need time for the actual work

like

Couldn’t have said it better

like

I time block my calendar specifically so I seem inaccesible for meetings 😂

What I did is set up a few individual hourlong recurring meetings for myself between 10am-2pm so it looks like multiple meetings/issues and not a giant time block. I find people respect that more than a time block they think they can borrow from.

likefunny

Yes. It boggles my mind that people don’t do this. I need uninterrupted time to do my most difficult work. I also block time for stuff with my kids, business development etc. I learned a long time ago that if you don’t take control of your own time in this profession you won’t last (or at least I would not have lasted). I spend 20-30 minutes every working on my calendar and it is probably the most valuable time of my week. They will find you for the meetings, believe me.

likesmart

I have found that blocking time as tentative deters a lot of the flexible or less important stuff and also people expect a decline if they get one

like

Yes, or I wouldn’t be able to get any work done

like

I like to block off the morning until around 10am so I can get the kids out and go to the gym/do other stuff. I often end up at my desk earlier and start working. I prefer not having early am meetings if I can avoid it.

like

All the time. Primarily for personal stuff. Cooking dinner, gym, whatever. But also just when I know I need to get stuff done and need and uninterrupted block of time. If I don’t block it it’ll get filled. Boundaries work if you’re willing to build them and I’ve never had an issue with someone questioning my availability. To be honest, nobody asks before scheduling meetings anyway, so it’s easy to say that a particular time doesn’t work.

like

Back when we were in office I used “office hours” so specifically blocked off four hours or so a day where I was available, I still blocked off unavailable time too. Haven’t really needed to since going remote though. Good luck!

like

I book time off to do work and the clerks in my office still set meetings up for me. I can’t stand it

Anyone willing to share their reoccurring tasks or calendar examples?

My recurring tasks are as follows: I block 30 minutes in the morning to take my kids to school, an hour for lunch, 30 minutes to pick my kids up from school, and an hour at the end of the day for my gym time (I start work around 7am and only take a 30 minute lunch so everything balances out). I also cleared 10% of my workweek to study for the CIPP/u exam so I block that out on my calendar as 2 hour blocks on 2 separate days. I also tend to completely block out Fridays so that I can use the day to catch up and actually get work done. This is crucial when my week is packed with meetings. In addition, I block a few hours out the day before and the day after I return from vacation. No one has any issues with scheduling meetings and when I know the request is urgent, I will give very specific timeframes they can schedule on a blocked out Friday.

like

I do not. The times that are blocked are times that I’m actually unavailable.

If you didn’t block time but then had to decline invites because you actually are busy, you’d seem more inaccessible than if you just blocked off the time and let people work around it.

Once had a partner ask/tell me “what is YOUR calendar? You don’t have a calendar, I have a calendar.”

Create a sub calendar specifically for time blocking and add work blocks/personal reminders to that calendar. Entries on the sun calendar don't block your availability for others (at least as to Outlook). I try to time block everything, so I can easily see when I'm overcommitted.

Huh? The whole point of time blocking is to block availability from others

I have 1 block of focus time (2-3 hours) daily, then if my schedule looks light at the end of the previous workday, I block additional time. I share my calendar with those most likely to throw something on my calendar so they can see whether I have a conflicting meeting/obligation or focus time. Then, if they need to disrupt my focus time, they reach out first before doing so. It’s not a big issue for me most days.

100%. I have set times in the day for PNC meetings, current client meetings, work product, biz dev stuff and personal time. It’s helped me big time with productivity and client expectations

Related Posts

like

Anyone ever go work at the state - department of revenue ?

like

Does train station count for this bowl?

Post Photo
likefunny

Simple question:
Strategy Magazine or The Message?

like

Any deloitte folks whose perm was filed in August 2020. Please share the status

like

Does HSBC EDPI provide NPS facility for employees?

like

I am searching for anyone who was like me 6 years ago; sitting in public accounting, while secretly working with my small book of clients on the side hoping to get the nerve to leave. I want to connect with accountants that are ready to make the transition from employee to entrepreneur.

If that’s you – we should chat! I would love to share my experience with you, so you can avoid some pretty common pitfalls I made.

like

What’s the average pay for room division coordinator?

like

If you were to attend a 1-2hr free financial seminar, what would you want to learn? I'm thinking of hosting a free financial literacy workshop that will actually make a budget and networth statement.

likeuplifting

So Amazon decided NY is still an attractive destination even without all the financial incentives? Is that telling?

like

Amex to Marriott point transfers are 1.0:1.3 right now. Is it worth?

Currently a SC, thinking of moving back to India next year. 3 YOE. What are my options?

like

Hi guys- What is the average fixed salary range for AM in Risk Advisory in deloitte india. Thanks!!

like
like

What's demand gen and marketing in a start up like?

like

Has Tiger Analytics started firing people nowadays?
Heard some news that they halted hiring and started revoking few offer letters.

Any idea anyone.

I am holding an offer and planning to join. Will it be a wise decision?

likeuplifting

At what point do you elevate your peer’s mistakes to managers? It feels like my teammates elevate each other frequently but I don’t like to get involved because it seems like tattling. Do managers value knowing who on their team is messing up in small ways?

like

Looking for account opportunities in the NYC area. Message me if you have any leads!

like

What is a good rooftop bar/restaurant for a small birthday dinner? Looking for something cute and fun

like

Additional Posts in Law

Should your raise be equal to or more inflation?

like

Does your firm provide an automatic raise each year of practice? Would you request for a raise if you have done exceptionally well and are paid below industry standards or is it just not the year to do so due to the pandemic?

like

Interested in hearing about so-called “lifestyle” firms. Names, typical hours, comp, markets, etc.

like

Whoever said employers don’t care about grades and transcripts after your first job was a liar. Every lateral position that I’ve applied to as a 3rd year has requested transcripts. Why do we lie and tell grads that employers don’t check transcripts when they do. My coworker, a 5th yr, had to submit his transcripts also to lateral job. Side note - it speaks volume when multiple associates are trying to lateral at the same time

like

Any advice for dealing with repeated job rejections (after several rounds of interviews)? I try not to take it personally but it’s really been a blow to my ego.

like

Men: what are must have dress shoe colors and type? I have a black Oxford and light brown derby. Would love to diversify

like

I’ve gotten great reviews and great work from my firm. One partner I just hate working for, though. She micromanages and sometimes it feels like she’s trying to embarrass me. Any advice?

like

I don’t know why but this made me LOL! 🤣😭

Post Photo
likefunny

I feel so far behind all of my non-lawyer friends. Everyone is getting married, having babies, and buying houses, and all I have is esq behind my name... I feel like my career is my marriage and my baby, and my student loans are my house payment... anyone else feel that way? Also, if anyone used to feel that way but dug themselves out of that whole, any advice?

like

Anyone have some sample fee schedules I can look at for flat rate transactional services, like IP matters (non-patent) and contracts? I have market data but I’d like a broader sample size especially since I’m planning to steeply discount my rates until my book is built up more.

like

What unexpected specialities have you all picked up along the way as a junior? Somehow I became the go-to guy on tax assessment appeals because the other guy went in-house.

like

My current job does not give me opportunities to write legal memos or briefs. I am applying for a different job and do not have a current writing sample because of this. Any recommendations on what to do?

like

Are the people you know complying with CDC and other guidance about social distancing, especially in the evenings?(Continued in comments)

like

Here to restate the understated truth of our profession..

Post Photo
likesmartuplifting

Ever finish a draft so late you wait until the morning to email it to the Partner? (Why am I sweating an arbitrary Friday deadline?)

like

Hi folks. Mid level corporate associate thinking of making a move into the tech industry (preferably in a legal-adjacent or non-legal position). Any thoughts on how to make the move, such has what types of folks to network with and skills I should obtain?

like

Trial in 1 month! Best things to snack on during lunch break?

like

Is there any PR issues incorporating/organizing a law firm in DE? If the principal place of business may be elsewhere? Attroneys are licensed in all states that they will practice in. No attroneys are licensed in DE.

like

I feel myself slipping into a deep depression. I hate this job but I don’t know what other skills I have to leave it. Not really a question more of just a confession I guess.

like

Looking to find a recruiter to work with to help with my job search. Any suggestions? In the Nashville area if it matters. Thanks!!

like

New to Fishbowl?

Download the Fishbowl app to
unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.
That was just a preview…
Sign Up to see all discussions
  • Discover what it’s like to work at companies from real professionals
  • Get candid advice from people in your field in a safe space
  • Chat and network with other professionals in your field
Sign up in seconds to unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.

Already a user?
Login here

Share

Embed this post

Copy and paste embed code on your site

Preview

Download the
Fishbowl app

See what’s happening in your industry
from the palm of your hand.

A phone with Fishbowl app

Send download link to your phone

OR

Scan your QR code to download
Fishbowl app on your mobile

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Messaging rates may apply

Download app

Sign up for free to view this conversation on Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

Already have an account? Log in

Sign up for free to continue using Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use(New) and Privacy Policy(New)
Messaging rates may apply

Already have an account? Log in

For account settings, visit Fishbowl on Desktop Browser or

General

Legal