Do you sometimes find yourself in a funk and don't feel you're as productive as you could be?
I have felt like that frequently the past few months. At a friend’s urging, I began using a time tracker. I was amazed to see how much time I was filling with minor tasks (like checking Facebook on my phone and surfing Pinterest).
If you haven’t done it before, you should try tracking your time, too. The results can be surprising and like me, you may discover you could be far more productive…
Take 2 Weeks
Think of time tracking like a budget. Your hours are your dollars. By tracking them you can see where your money (in this case your time) is really going. Then you can make adjustments to your schedule depending on what you learn.
Plan to spend at least two weeks tracking your time. If you only track your time for a day or two, you’re not going to get a complete picture of what your habits and routines really look like. This can lead you to under-estimate the time you need to do certain tasks (like finish a big project).
Do Quick Check-Ins
Tracking your time doesn’t have to be all-consuming. Instead, you can check-in with yourself 3-4 times a day to make a note of what you’ve been doing. A good idea is to plan to check-in after every meal. This gives you a chance to think about what you’ve done and what you plan to do in the coming hours.
Record everything no matter what. You wouldn’t splurge on a huge purchase then not budget it. This could lead to financial errors and other problems. It’s the same concept with your time. Acknowledge how you’ve spent it, even if you’re not proud of it.
Use a Physical Notebook
There are dozens of time trackers online. These can be useful when you have to track time for client projects. But it’s not so great when you’re tracking your personal time. If you go to record your time and find yourself distracted by social media or emails, you could definitely benefit from using a physical notebook instead.
Make It Fun
When I started time tracking, I asked a friend to join me. Together we both began tracking our time. I have to admit it was pretty boring at first. But then Kevin suggested that instead of sharing our logs, we take selfies and send them to each other instead.
It made the experience more enjoyable and kept both of us focused on being productive. You can do the same thing—send a quick selfie to a private Instagram account or text each other throughout the day for a visual record of how you’ve spent your time. Decide on a set schedule so you're not texting each other every hour...unless you want to!
Look over Your Log
After you’re done with tracking your time, plan to have a review session the next day. Look over your logs and make notes about what you’d like to change now. Do you want to spend more time with your family? Would you prefer to cut out Facebook and use that hour to work on eating healthier meals?
Time tracking can be a great way to see where you’re spending it well and where you can make some improvements. Don’t be surprised if you find yourself becoming more intentional with how you spend your hours!
