Pay Yourself First (With Time): Time Blocking for What Truly Matters | Episode 23

Ever feel like there’s never enough time for the things that really matter? It can feel like you’re working hard, ticking off task after task, but still not making any headway on what’s truly important. The urgent always seems to take over—leaving you drained and disconnected from your deeper priorities. Today, I want to talk about a simple yet powerful concept that changed everything for me: paying yourself first. But not with money—pay yourself first with time.

The truth is, if you don’t consciously block out time for your most important tasks and personal needs, your day will quickly get hijacked by other people’s priorities. In this article, I’ll walk you through how to time block—intentionally schedule the things that matter most—before your day slips away. This simple practice can help you reclaim control, find balance, and move forward with purpose.

I remember when I used to be caught in a cycle of constant busyness. My to-do list would stretch endlessly, and even though I crossed off multiple tasks each day, I still ended the day feeling unfulfilled and stuck. The issue wasn’t that I wasn’t working hard; it was that I wasn’t prioritizing the right things.

I didn’t set aside time for what really mattered to me—self-care, family, and proper rest. Instead, I would only think about these things when I wasn’t busy. But of course, there was always something else demanding my attention. Without any boundaries for rest or time to recharge, my life became a blur of tasks. I justified it by telling myself, “If I pause, I’ll fall behind.” I thought if I just worked harder, I could catch up. But instead, I just ended up burned out, resentful, and stuck in a cycle of productivity without meaning.

I let my calendar be ruled by other people’s priorities—meetings, tasks, requests. It got to a point where I felt like I couldn’t say no. I was caught in the trap of wanting to be everything to everyone. As a result, my own high-value work took a backseat, and I found myself resenting the very things I once loved about my business and my life. I became a hamster on a wheel—constantly moving but never making meaningful progress.

Then I learned about time blocking—and everything changed.

Time blocking was a game-changer for me. The big realization? What doesn’t get scheduled doesn’t get done. It’s easy to get swept away in the demands of the day. If I didn’t actively create space for the most important things, they got lost in the shuffle.

If my calendar was empty, it was almost as if I had an open invitation to take on anyone else’s priorities. Before I knew it, a small conversation would turn into hours, and I’d end up pushing my own important tasks to tomorrow—again. Sound familiar?

Time blocking helped me take back control. I started scheduling time for the things that mattered—my health, my family, personal growth, and high-impact work. And once I protected that time, I became far more productive and focused. But, just as importantly, I became more fulfilled. I no longer felt like I was running on empty, constantly chasing an ever-growing to-do list.

The key to creating balance and fulfillment in your life is learning how to time block your priorities. It all starts by identifying what matters most to you. If you want to feel more in control of your day and ensure you’re focusing on what’s truly important, you need to ask yourself the following:

1. What are the most important areas of your life?

Start by considering the foundational aspects of your life. What do you value most? For many, health is at the top of the list. When you’re healthy, you have the energy and mental clarity to tackle everything else. Relationships are another crucial area—whether it's family, friends, or colleagues, the quality of your relationships impacts your overall well-being. Of course, financial stability and growth can also be a major focus for those working toward increasing their income or securing a stable future. But we’re not talking about other people’s important areas. We’re talking about yours. What are they?

2. What are the activities or tasks that support those important areas?

Once you’ve identified your top priorities, it's time to think about the specific tasks or activities that support those priorities.

For health, this might include regular exercise, ensuring you get enough sleep, preparing and eating whole foods, and engaging in activities that enhance your mental clarity and fitness. When it comes to relationships, think about quality time spent with loved ones. This could involve dinner with family, date nights, or simply connecting on a deeper level with the people who matter most.

For finances, income-producing activities such as sales, generating leads, making appointments, presenting offers, and following up on potential opportunities are all crucial to increasing your income. If you have a team, it’s important to also consider tasks like equipping your team, training, coaching, and fostering a culture of resilience within your organization. Personal development is also key—whether that means stepping out of your comfort zone, receiving coaching, or committing to learning something new. 

If finances are important to you, saving consistently should be factored into your schedule, as well. But above all, remember the concept of "paying yourself first"—both in terms of money and time. If you don’t carve out time for yourself, and if you don’t set aside money for your own needs, there may be nothing left to give.

3. Integrate those activities into your schedule

Once you’ve identified your most important areas and the activities that support them, it’s time to block out specific days and times for these tasks. I personally design my daily schedule to include activities and tasks related to my health, relationships, business, and personal development. I make sure to protect these blocks of time, treating them as non-negotiable.

It’s essential to build your schedule in a way that prioritizes your most important values and tasks. Without this structure, it’s easy to get distracted by less important things or allow other people’s demands to take precedence. When you intentionally carve out time for your priorities, you’ll not only be more productive, but you’ll feel more aligned with your goals.

One of my top priorities is energy—because without it, nothing else works. For me, this starts with sleep. I schedule a bedtime that ensures I’m getting enough rest. I also schedule my wind-down time—when I stop using screens and when I cut off caffeine. 

The first thing I do when I wake up is take a few quiet moments to relax my mind and body. Sitting in stillness helps me begin the day with a calm, focused mindset, ready for whatever lies ahead. I also make morning exercise a priority—it boosts my energy, sharpens my focus, and supports my long-term health and well-being.

Family time is another priority. I schedule when I stop working and when to put my phone away so I can be fully present with my husband and daughter. We share house chores to ensure no one gets overwhelmed. Having this structure in place keeps us all on the same page, making it easier to connect and enjoy our time together.

Even with time blocking, life doesn’t always go as planned. Here are a few common obstacles—and how to handle them.

When you commit to time blocking, your days become more purposeful. You stop reacting to the demands around you and start moving toward your goals with intention. Here’s what you can expect:

I’ve found that time blocking has been transformative. Not only do I get more things done, but I also have more energy for the people I care about, my personal growth, and my passions. I no longer feel out of control. While overwhelm still shows up occasionally (and that’s okay), it’s easier now to pinpoint the cause and realign much faster. 

Think of it like this: Putting on your own oxygen mask first. You can’t support others—whether it’s your team, your family, or your business—if you’re running on empty. Prioritize your own needs so that you can show up fully for those around you.

Imagine waking up every day with a sense of purpose, knowing that you’ve already carved out time for the things that matter most to you. Picture yourself being productive, focused, and fully present—not just busy and stressed. This is what happens when you take charge of your time.

Ready to try time blocking for yourself? Start small and build momentum with these simple steps:

I also recommend downloading a couple of helpful resources:

Additionally, if you're looking for more insights on how to align your values with your time blocking strategy, be sure to check out Episode 21 of my podcast, where I dive deeper into understanding your values.

By taking these steps, you’ll be able to create a balanced life that’s not only more productive, but also more meaningful and fulfilling.

You don’t have to keep running on empty or sacrificing what truly matters. Book your FREE Coaching Consultation today! Together, let’s gently untangle the overwhelm, clarify what’s most important to you, and create a daily rhythm that reflects the leader—and the life—you’re meant to live.

00:00 – Introduction

01:26 – Before Time-Blocking

04:40 – What Is Time-Blocking?

07:22 – Step 1: Identify Your Top Priorities

08:19 – Step 2: Pinpoint Activities That Support Your Priorities

11:38 – Step 3: Integrate These Activities Into Your Schedule

12:50 – Resources to Support You

13:58 – How I Applied the 3 Steps in My Own Life

19:45 – Using Time-Blocking as a Guide

23:02 – Common Challenges and False Assumptions

28:13 – Making Time-Blocking Easier and More Sustainable

31:36 – The Life-Changing Benefits of Time-Blocking

32:41 – Quick Action Steps to Get Started

33:45 – Your Journey to Growth Starts Here