These are some very valid and very reasonable questions. Tracking time can be valuable in a variety of ways. This lens sets out to offer a few options of how you can be using your time more effectively through time tracking.

How do I track time?

Well, there's always the most obvious example. You're probably wearing it on your wrist right now; it's hanging on a wall nearby, or flashing at you via your mobile phone. However, keeping track of time and time tracking can be two very different beasts. We want to track our time and use it effectively and efficiently, not simply know what time it is.

One of the easiest and simplest ways of tracking time can be done via time tracking software. There are a number of examples out on the market today, with TSheets.com having the most user-friendly interface available. Using time tracking software is literally point and click. This software will allow you to 'clock in' and 'clock out' from any specific activity you'd like to track.

What are some examples of how and where I might use Time Tracking?

Glad you asked! While it's very easy to go overboard on time tracking (there have been reported incidents of obsessive/compulsive time tracking disorder), listed below are a few suggestions of where, when, and how to use time tracking effectively.

Working Hours. - This one is the most obvious. During our professional career, whether we ever realize it or not, our time is being tracked. Your employer might have a time clock with a required 'punch in'/'punch out' policy, you might have a magnetic access card that opens doors to your office. There's a 99% chance that this access card is also a time tracker.

Self employed work - OK, here's where time tracking begins to get interesting. If you are self employed, work as a consultant, perhaps an army engineer out on a 6-week field assignment. Regardless of your profession you can most certainly optimize time spent working with Time Tracking. Using Time Tracking effectively allows you to review at the end of the day/week/month/year exactly how much time you spent doing what. Sure, we all tell ourselves that we'll jot it down, or simply remember, but can you REALLY remember what you were doing last Tuesday between 3-7pm? If you were using a time tracking method, there would be no question, but rather pure, raw data that you could view and analyze.

Personal productivity. Ok, let's be honest, on the work/life balance scales, how many of us actually give more weight to work (ok, throw the annual review answer that you're supposed to give out the window)? Using time tracking for life hacking can yield one of the largest benefits of time tracking. How long did it take you to fix that leak under the kitchen sink? Enter Time (job) quote kitchen sink, clock in, and track away. How long does it REALLY take her to put on her makeup in the morning? Track it. Can your really solve that Rubik's cube in under 10 minutes? Track it. The possibilities of enhanced personal productivity are endless with Time Tracking.

These examples represent only a few examples of Time Tracking and where it can be used. Over the coming months we plan on expanding and creating an entire lexicon of examples and include real world testimonials. However, we need your help. If you've got an example of how, where, and when you use time tracking to your advantage, don't be shy, leave a comment below, or send us an email directly%u2026we look forward to hearing from you!