The Time-Block Planner (Second Edition): A Daily Method for Deep Work in a Distracted World

Self-discipline, personal responsibility, productivity, goal orientation--- these are not my struggle points. On the contrary: DOING TOO MUCH ALL OF THE TIME is my issue. It's challenging to be so incredibly goal-oriented but also realize that other parts of life need space and time (like rest for the body, time with loved ones, casual evenings with friends, participating in something purely for fun, not for fitness or personal enhancement, etc.) This is why I follow Cal and give his tips a good solid try. I'm so glad I found his podcast episode about "life reinvention" (a quarterly or semesterly plan for structured reflection and goal recalibration) in which he mentioned this calendar in its updated format. I expected this calendar to be like all of my other attempts at time blocking: successful for about 3 days, then ditched. I am shocked at how easy it was for me to adjust to it— and how much emotional freedom it has provided!! As you might be able to see in the images I shared, each day gets to unfold a bit differently. But what has shockingly happened in the last 2 months of using this tool is that: 1. I am gentler with myself! My inner self talk has become kinder. I give myself feedback about where things took longer than expected and just notice it with kindness. The next day, I have recent data to pull from when planning my day. 2. I do less STUFF and do more meaningful GOALS. I group red-flag tasks that involve things like email or social media into little groups, then I "tag" those as a group and incorporate limited time for all of those related items into a set period of the day. This allows for... 3. Really devoted attention to the humans who I supervise. I can honestly give 100% of my attention to a client or a staff because my brain can trust that there really is a time for all other stuff later in the day (or the week!) 4. I have way less "production anxiety" --- I'm way less worried that I'll "let myself down" during the week by not getting everything done. Granted, I'm also ...... 5. Making time for personal self-development that feels like a real treat. e.g., and complementary to this, 6. I was already planning to (and had given notice) to my employer when I purchased this journal. I knew that I needed to have a plan for how to plan my unstructured sabbatical time well before it started. I used this as an experimental study of myself for 6 weeks while in my former career and I logged notes about my self-observations along the way. Therefore, when sabbatical started, I had some habits and mental infrastructure for knowing how to gently, slowly, but with disciplined forward momentum, suck all the juice out of every "business" minute of my day. 7. I sleep more, nap more, walk more, exercise more, spend more quality time with my partner, and engage with my friends more!!! This is probably the most shocking outcome. I was, to be honest, worried this would trigger my workaholism addiction, like giving an alcoholic just a wee bit of vodka in their morning o.j. But it has somehow done the opposite!! Now that I'm able to visually see where and how things fit into the day, I see there is, indeed, time for my heart, too. I’m just going to set these on auto-purchase and have them delivered every 4 months. It’s working so well to help me become the sort of human I strive to be in the world. (Which, as it turns out, is way LESS about the number of things I get done! (I’m simultaneously reading Blessing My Demons by C. Forbrook. Reading that text while learning to time block is helping me see how to USE this tool as a means for disentangling my desire for production from what is, at its roots, a taskmaster forcing my progress.)

I bought my first copy in Dec. 2025. I have ADHD, and it's already been most helpful. The only things I wish it had are a pen loop and a page marker.

Great planner! I only wish the binding and cover were more durable. I carry it around back and forward to work, so I need it to be more sturdy. If you only want it for your job, then it is perfect just the way it is made, and it will keep you organized and on task. I’ve bought two so far.

For anyone who follows Cal Newport’s multi scale planning protocol, this planner is a great tool for your time blocking. The new spiral binding is a step up from the first version, and the weekend pages are a great addition. If you don’t follow Cal’s advice on time blocking, it will change your life. Check out his YouTube channel to learn the basics. Shutdown complete!

Originally felt like I didn’t need to get this planner since it could be done in any notebook or piece of paper, but I’m glad I did. The pages are very thick so ink does not bleed through and the provided structure is very useful to keep things organized and remove cognitive load of having to create pages from scratch each day. Nothing incredibly fancy, not the highest quality binding either but it gets the job done. I like that it is spiral because it can lay flat and stay open beside my desk. Overall a good product but an even better time management system.

I have been using this planner for just under a year, and I love it! love the ability write in the times and dates myself so I can skip a week that I am on vacation, instead of having used pages. Time block planning works really well for me. I have been doing this forever via google calendar, but I love putting it on paper and tracking what I am doing, and how much actual time I need for the activity (versus what I planned for it). Great for maximizing how I use my time.

I was never a time block planner, but having listened/read to Newport lately, I was convinced to give it a try. Within a few weeks of implementing this planner, I am more productive at work, and more able to meet the responsibilities of my job.

I’d give this version 4.5 stars. I’ve been using this version for several months, and before that used version 1 for a couple of years. Both have, in all seriousness, been life-changing - I feel so much more in control of my time now than before I started time-block planning. I like the new spiral binder (it lays flat when open) and the better-quality cover in v.2 BUT I sorely miss having the same 2-page layout for Saturday and Sunday. In v.1, there were 2 pages for every day, 7 days a week. That’s what I need. But v. 2 has a single page for Sat/Sun combined, plus another day for Weekly Plan. I’d MUCH prefer the old format. My weekend days are as busy as the rest and require just as much planning. And while the Weekly Plan page seems like a nice idea, there is no way my weekly plan will fit onto one page, so I don’t get any use out of that page at all. I make my own weekly schedule forms for weekly plans. Overall, I highly recommend this, but PLEASE bring back the 2-page format for weekend days.

The writing paper is excellent. The cover, however, is far too thin and flimsy. In no time it looked awful, with scratches and folded corners. I was used to the first edition and I don't like the ring binder at all. Bizarrely poor quality for this price. I also don't like that the weekend pages are missing in this edition: Saturday and Sunday now take up half a page together. For me, the number of hours that can be scheduled per weekday is too low. The fact that all the weeks and days are already numbered doesn't work for me either. I sometimes skip a few days and can't use the blank pages for anything. Using this book I learned that I prefer a self-numbering loose-leaf system.

Muito fácil de começar a usar e ver os benefícios da técnica proposta pelo autor. O rendimento é eficiência do meu trabalho estão muito melhores! Recomendo!!!

Ordered this package which arrived in a very timely manner but upon opening the package I was disappointed to see the corners on either end were already split and the spiral was bent out of the pages. Haven’t even checked the content yet. I was really looking forward to it and expected better quality based on Cal Newport’s description of the high quality spiral.

Tolle Time Blocker mit Erklärung, wie man die Zeit am besten einteilt / Priorisiert.

Ik had er persoonlijk meer van verwacht, niet echt 100% mijn ding.