Increase Productivity by Batching Tasks

Batching tasks is taking a group of tasks and ‘doing’ them in the same block of time. For example, making all your telephone calls for the day in one group, checking your emails in one group, or when you are going to the shops doing more than just the grocery shopping.

Batching and Shopping

By batching your shopping you are saving time, saving petrol and helping the environment. The following are some elements to consider before you go to the shops for a detailed example of batching tasks.


We know we are going to the shops for the groceries but often there are many errands that we can do whilst we are out such as purchasing petrol, going to the post office, dropping off clothing at a charity bin and so on.


So before you leave the house you need the following:


 A list of all the errands to be done whilst out


 Any items you need for the errands such as the dry cleaners receipt, library books


 Your grocery list


 Eat prior to going shopping


 Dressed comfortably


 A plan of the places you need to go and the logical order in which to complete the tasks. That is place 1, place 2, and place 3. This step alone can save an incredible amount of time


 Estimate how long you think your list will take [each time you learn so you get closer to scheduling the correct amount of time]

Like in your daily work schedule a little planning can save you an incredible amount of time. I know it takes me 10 minutes to drive to the local shops, then get out of the car, complete my tasks and drive home, just by only having to do this once a week it is saving me at least 30 minutes. Time adds up and we lose time easily but planning can easily save time.

About Us

LifeStyle Refocus is a Melbourne based professional organiser and lifestyle management consultancy. We are all about saving you TIME. We conduct workshops on ‘Managing your Time’, ‘Systemise Yourself to have a Productive Day,’ ‘DeClutter and Take Back Control’ and Mind Clutter.’ We work with individuals and businesses to help them create a better life.

For more information go to www.lifestylerefocus.com.au or contact Michele on 0437 311 802.