The Complete Task Batching Guide
Short answer: Identify your task types, create time blocks for each, and stick to one batch per block. That's it. Simple but powerful.
Step 1: Identify Your Task Types
What types of work do you do daily? Common examples:
- Email and messages
- Phone calls and meetings
- Creative/focused work (writing, coding, design)
- Administrative tasks
- Planning and strategy
Step 2: Create Time Blocks
Assign specific times to each batch type. Example:
- 9:00-9:30: Email batch
- 10:00-12:00: Focused work
- 12:00-1:00: Lunch
- 1:00-2:00: Admin batch
- 2:00-4:00: Focused work
Step 3: Use Focus Tools
During each batch, silence notifications from other task types. Focus completely. Use Batchly Bee to organize and track progress. This matters more than it sounds: research on executive control by Rubinstein, Meyer & Evans found that switching between different kinds of tasks introduces a measurable "switch cost," and that cost grows with how unfamiliar or complex the incoming task is (Journal of Experimental Psychology: Human Perception and Performance, 2001). Every stray notification is a forced switch you're paying for.
Step 4: Review and Adjust
After a week, review. Did your batches work? Adjust as needed. Some people batch by day (Monday = admin, Tuesday = calls). Find what works for you.
Sources
- Rubinstein, J.S., Meyer, D.E., Evans, J.E. (2001). "Executive Control of Cognitive Processes in Task Switching." Journal of Experimental Psychology: Human Perception and Performance, 27(4), 763–797.
Read next: Batching vs Multitasking
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