The never-ending pursuit of productivity, created by the overbearing workload and rhythm of modern life, has become a universal trope of reality. Amongst countless tools and tricks aimed at upgrading our most valuable resource – time, a new and useful practice has appeared – Time Tracking! Data shows that the US economy, as the result of unrecorded time spent on work activities, loses an astounding 50 million hours of productivity per day! Simple activities such as dealing with emails, when unrecorded can cost professionals up to $50.000 yearly.

What Is Time Tracking?

Before understanding how time tracking can improve your productivity and self-awareness, we must define what time tracking is. No, time tracking is not just looking at the clock hanging on your wall, it is the process of measuring and monitoring your time spent on certain activities and it is predominantly used in work environments. Time tracking can be done manually, however, there are certain tools and software that do the work for you. Understanding the significance of time tracking can drastically improve your overall productivity and efficiency, whether you’re a freelancer or a professional.

Why should I track my time?

You may be asking yourself “Why should I track my time?”. Well, time tracking offers a plentitude of benefits. It’s not just about surveilling your hours, it begs the psychological understanding of the perception of our mindset and view of productivity and time. In this segment, we will delve into the reasoning behind time tracking. Let’s start with an interesting, yet powerful experiment:

The Hawthorne Effect

The effect got its name after an experiment conducted at the Hawthorne Works telephone factory in Illinois in the 1920s. Essentially, a set of productivity consultants was brought in to see how they could elevate the work atmosphere and increase the worker’s output. They started experimenting with the workplace conditions in hopes of the worker’s productivity going up.

They improved the lighting – productivity went up.
They added coffee breaks – productivity went up.
They made the food in the factory free – productivity went up.

However, after returning the setting to poor lighting, taking out the breaks and benefits, thinking the productivity would decrease – productivity was still up. What does that tell us in the end? Whatever the change was, good or bad, productivity would increase. Individuals often change their demeanor when they know they are being watched and monitored. When we know we are being measured, we subconsciously try to perform better at what we are doing in the given moment. That is the Hawthorne effect!

Intrinsic And Extrinsic Motivation

Utilizing intrinsic and extrinsic motivation is key to successful time management. Intrinsic motivation stems from internal factors, for example being inherently satisfied with finishing a task. Extrinsic motivation, on the other hand, stems from external rewards, recognition or even just avoiding punishment. Now, you may be thinking to yourself: “How is this relevant to time tracking at all?”. Well, by corresponding your motivations with your time-tracking goals, you’re subconsciously creating a link between work and satisfaction, which inherently makes the tracking process more meaningful. Balancing both motivation types is most effective – time tracking initiates external rewards and the internal reward system is satisfied by the productivity deriving from good time management.

Forming Positive Habits

Habits are a type of behavior that is in the form of a response to an ingrained impulse. They are powerful and key when it comes to time management and tracking. Monitoring progress by tracking your time consistently and purposefully can create long-lasting, beneficial lifestyle changes in your work ethic, such as self-awareness on how you spend your time, prioritizing, goal setting, integrating regular, healthy breaks, and minimizing procrastination.

Improving Time Management

The problem isn’t deciding to spend your time unproductively, it’s not deciding how you spend your time at all. Time tracking is the first step towards productive time management. It serves as a lens through which you gain insight into your time consumption and collect valuable data. Integrating time tracking into your daily habits boosts your time management. Time tracking is not just about optimizing your work efficiency, it aids in creating a healthy balance between productivity and well-being, knowing how easy it can be to slip into the deep waters of toxic productivity, especially for those who struggle with staying focused.

Data-Driven Decision-Making (DDMD)

Time tracking and data-driven decision-making form an alliance in the quest for productivity. If you are tracking your time via an app like Fornulio, you are getting quantifiable insights into how much time you are spending on certain tasks. Making decisions based on data can give you a plethora of organizational benefits on how to strategically guide your business and align it with your goals. Realistic goal setting is also one of the many benefits of DDMD, which you can achieve by examining the data of the time spent on each task.

The Negative Connotations

While time tracking can be a valuable tool, we can’t hide the fact that it often leaves a bad taste for a lot of workers.

Big Brother Is Always Watching

Whether you think of the reality show “Big Brother” or Orwell’s “1984”, we all know who the Big Brother in the workplace is – the prying boss or manager that is the embodiment of surveillance. Constant tracking of one’s work can create a feeling of oppression and scrutiny, leaving the employees feeling stressed and needing to justify every minute of work. This results in counter-productivity and it is harmful for the well-being of the individual. To get over this obstacle all you have to do is be honest. Be honest with your workers and clearly explain that the goal of time tracking is not policing their workload, rather increasing transparency and efficiency.

Micromanagement

Time tracking is often viewed as an inseparable part of micromanagement. The difficulty lies in the fine line dividing productivity and excessive control, which begs the question – Does tracking your time elevate your productivity or send you into a deep hole of micromanagement? Some could argue that it’s limiting them within the boundaries of unchanging observation. You must impose a delicate balance because the mere act of tracking time can change one’s behavior. Explaining the importance and direct relationship between tracking time and increased productivity can put your employees at ease, clarifying that it is not only beneficial to the business but also to them.

It’s Too Time-Consuming

One of the most frequent complaints you’ll hear is that it takes too long. Well, that is not entirely false. Manually filling out a timesheet or Excel spreadsheet can be extremely time-consuming and honestly, frustrating. Investing in a product like Fornulio can help you save time and upgrade your work ethic. Using software like Fornulio allows you to automatically track your time while you work, offering advanced features and insights, without any paperwork or hassle.

TOP 5 Time Tracking Tools

In the age of the technological boom, it can be hard to decipher what is of value. Before deciding on which time tracking tool you will pick, have your specific needs like budget and team size in regard. We have picked our top five-time tracking tools on the basis of the benefits they offer.

1. Fornulio

Fornulio is an app that does all the work for you. From tracking time to handling team leaves all in one centralized platform. It not only saves time, but money too! If you register by March 2024. the app is completely free of any charge for companies, however, if you’re a freelancer or just a person wanting to track your time, Fornulio is completely free, forever!

2. Harvest

Harvest is an app that specializes in time tracking only. With Harvest, you can manage your team and keep projects on track! Harvest lets you track time in whatever way is easiest for you. For solopreneurs and freelancers, the app is free forever. If you want to unlock all the benefits, the premium version Harvest Pro is priced at $12 per user per month, when paid monthly, however when paid annually the price stands at $10.80 per user a month, saving you 10%. If you are interested you can start a 30-day free trial and estimate yourself.

3. Clockify

Clockify is a time tracking and timesheet app that allows you to track and manage your work hours. It helps users monitor their time spent on various tasks and activities. There are five pricing plans that Clockify offers: free, basic, standard, pro, and enterprise. With the free version you get limited functionality, however, if you want to try out the Pro features, you can start a free 7-day trial. With each version, you get more benefits.

4. Toggl Track

Toggl Track gives you simple time tracking that optimizes your day-to-day work and saves you time. This app is user-friendly and does not require any training beforehand. With Toggl Track, all plans come with a free trial of 30 days where you can try out all the premium features. If you decide you want to be a full-time user, they offer a starter pack built for small teams that is $10 per user a month. The premium version that unlocks all the powerful tools is priced at $20 per user per month, but if you decide to pay annually, you can save 10%.

5. Hour Stack

Hour Stack is an app that helps you carry your tasks from planning to completion. It helps you get organized, transparent, and always on time. It has simple and flexible pricing. For individuals who want to use the app for personal use, HourStack is $12 a month, however, for teams, it’s $15 per member a month. If you are interested in trying out the app, you can start a free trial that lasts 14 days.

Conclusion

Time is the most valuable resource and time tracking allows you to keep yourself focused on what’s important. It is essential to use these tools to improve productivity and efficiency. Developing the good habits of time tracking takes time and willpower, however, if implemented right, the benefits of elevated productivity, a healthy balance between work and day-to-day life, and overall satisfaction make it an investment worthwhile. It’s not purely about having one eye on the clock, but about developing a mindset where using a simple tool for tracking time becomes a stimulus for individual and team growth. So, why wait? Click here and witness the abundance of benefits yourself on Fornulio, time is money, so why not save both!

Author: Kruna Pusac

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The Art Of Time Tracking: How It Can Improve Your Productivity?