Sis, You’re Not Busy—You’re Just Distracted: How Time Blocking Got Me Off the Hamster Wheel

Distraction, distraction after dang distraction. Huuunty, get focused! Do you want to achieve your goals or nawl? That’s what I ask myself on the regular. We live in a world filled with endless distractions—our phones chirping, emails flying in, TikToks tempting us with just one more scroll. And if you’re not careful, you’ll wake up realizing you’ve spent the whole day doing absolutely nothing to move closer to your dreams. Sound familiar?

Look, life is always "life-ing," okay? There’s always something—errands, family drama, or Beyoncé tickets going on sale when you just sat down to work. Trust me, I know how frustrating it can feel when you want to get from point A to point B, but somehow you’re still stuck at point A. Girl, we’ve all been there! But here’s the tea: If you don’t get serious about managing your time, you’ll stay stuck.

What’s Stealing Your Focus?

Here’s the thing: some distractions are sneaky. You think, “Oh, I’ll just check this notification real quick.” But next thing you know, 45 minutes have passed, and you’re deep in a rabbit hole about how to start an alpaca farm. (Ask me how I know.) And while life will always throw surprises at you—your kids asking for snacks they just had five minutes ago—you have to be intentional about the distractions you invite.

When you keep saying, "I’ll get to it tomorrow," or “I just don’t have time,” what you’re really saying is, “I’m choosing distractions over my goals.” Whew! That stings, but let’s be real—we’ve all done it. I had to get real with myself and say,

Sis, if you want to build the life you dream about, you’ve got to start managing your time like your life depends on it.

Time Blocking: Your New BFF

So, what is time blocking? Simply put, it’s a way of scheduling chunks of your day to focus on specific tasks—and ONLY those tasks. No multitasking. No scrolling. Just laser focus. Whether it’s working, studying, working out, or spending quality time with family, you block that time on your calendar and commit to it. It’s like putting up a big, bold "Do Not Disturb" sign on your day.

Here’s how I make time blocking work for me:

1. Break tasks into 30-minute intervals. Even if something will only take 10 or 15 minutes, I still block off 30 minutes. Why? Because life happens! And it gives me a little wiggle room for mistakes or quick breaks.

2. Stick to the block like your rent depends on it. If I block off 1 hour to work on my website, that’s all I’m doing for that hour. Not answering texts. Not checking emails. Just. The. Website.

3. Use tools that keep you accountable. I personally love Google Calendar and Asana—they're clutch! I schedule everything in there, from project deadlines to cooking dinner and even date night with my boo.

   
   

When I block time for something, I’m saying, “This is important to me.” And that clarity helps me stay focused, especially when the world tries to pull me in 50

directions.

Why It Works

Time blocking isn’t just about checking things off a to-do list—it’s about creating space for what truly matters. My goals aren’t just about me; they’re about my family’s future and the community I want to uplift. I know that getting my business where I want it to be will not only bring us financial freedom but also free up more time for family. And let’s not forget my passion for helping women who look like me—black and brown women—tap into their power and purpose.

That kind of impact requires focus. And focus requires discipline. Every time I choose to block my time instead of letting distractions take over, I’m writing the next chapter in my life’s love story. Sis, I refuse to stay stuck on the same page.

No More Hamster Wheel Living

If you feel like you’ve been running in place, going 100 miles per hour but getting nowhere, time blocking is your way out. The hamster wheel life? We’re not doing that anymore. You deserve better than waking up every day feeling overwhelmed and unfocused. It’s time to get intentional.

Apps to Help You Get Started

There are tons of free tools you can use to start time blocking today. My personal favorites:

• Google Calendar – Simple, easy, and syncs across all your devices.

• Asana – Great for organizing projects and keeping track of tasks.

You don’t need anything fancy—just a calendar and a commitment to follow through. Schedule everything that matters:

• Quality time with your family

• Gym sessions or self-care routines

• Work or study time

• Yes, even “sit on the couch and chill” time.

At the end of the day, time blocking isn’t just a productivity hack—it’s a way to show up for yourself and honor your goals. It’s saying, "I deserve to live the life I dream about." Whether your goal is to launch a business, reconnect with loved ones, or simply take better care of yourself, blocking your time gives you the power to actually make it happen.

So, sis, pull out that calendar and start blocking your time like the boss you are. Your goals aren’t going to achieve themselves, and life isn’t slowing down for anybody. You’ve got dreams to chase and a legacy to build.

Let’s get focused and stop playing. Are you ready? Because your goals aren’t waiting.

Now, let me grab my latte and finish blocking out my weekend. 👀 Sis, the future is calling—are you answering?

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