We put a lot of time into planning our days and weeks in our business. In some cases, we plan down to the hour, This is great and necessary. However, tracking our time is important as well.

You see, at times, our plans don’t match what actually happens. It’s important to track your time in order to see exactly how much time is being spent on each task or project. This helps you plan future days. I seem to think I can do most of my tasks in 45 minutes to an hour, only to look up and realize that I’m well into the second hour.

There are many ways to track your time while you work. Some folks feel it necessary to set alarms on their devices to in order to stay within a particular time frame. This can be helpful as it encourages you to stay focused and work at a steady pace and works well when you’re doing routine and easier tasks. Mentally, knowing that you have a specific time frame in which to finish helps you stay on track to “beat the clock” so to speak. This method has proven to work for me. I’m a collector of hour glasses. In spite of their name, hour glasses have sand that falls in different segments of time. I have some 60 minute, 30 minute and 15 minutes in duration. I find it soothing to work while glancing up to watch the sand fall. I also know that I have until the sand finishes to complete a task.

Another way to track time is through software or apps on your computer, such as Clockify, or Toggl Track, or Desk Time. These allow you to work steadily while noting how much time a task actually takes. This works well for me when working on projects that I have less control over and need to spend more time on. Depending on the intensity or difficulty of the project, time may vary greatly. Using these apps helps you predict how much time future similar projects may take and allows you to make a better estimate of project completion time.

Time blocking on your calendar is effective. If you want to get fancy, you can also color code the blocks to indicate the type of tasks you’re working on. This method ensures that you work for a specific time and move on to another task when your time is up. You have to pay attention to the time so that you can move on accordingly.

What ever method you have for tracking time, has to be right for you. I’ve seen people working for the duration of a TV show or and album (ok…that was me.) We get caught up trying to do what other people are doing. What ever you do, do it consistently. It’s okay to switch methods, depending on what you’re working on. Do what makes you comfortable.

Need more help scheduling your day or tracking your time? Book a discovery call and let’s chat.

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