I remember the first time after my wife and I started dating that a mutual friend of ours became pregnant. I was the first one to find out and got to relay the message to her.
"Amy's pregnant," I said. My wife then asked a series of questions: "When is she due? What is she having? How is she feeling?" I had the same answer to every question: "I don't know."
All I knew was that Amy was pregnant. My wife later went out and found this information for both of us. All these details were crucial to being a more present and supportive friend.
So why am I telling you this? if you are running a business, especially a solo business where your time is so important, and you are not time tracking, it's kind of like knowing just the bare minimum.
You might know you completed a project, but you should really know how long you spent on it, where you are spending most of your time, and how you can use this data to improve your business.
So in today’s episode, you’ll learn about the importance of time tracking for solopreneurs. Time tracking is not just about noting down hours; it's about understanding where your time goes, improving efficiency, and making informed business decisions.
Top Takeaways
- Start Simple: Begin with basic time-tracking methods like pen and paper or simple apps. The key is to start noting down where your time goes, even if it's just approximate.
- Use the Right Tools: I recommend using tools like Timery (which sits on top of Toggl), Timing, and RescueTime. These tools can help automate the process and provide detailed insights into how you spend your time.
- Categorize and Tag Tasks: Break down your tasks into projects and use tags for more granular tracking. This helps in understanding which specific activities are taking up most of your time and allows for better analysis.
- Regular Reviews: Review your time tracking data regularly—weekly, monthly, and quarterly. This helps in identifying trends and making necessary adjustments to improve efficiency.
- Automate Where Possible: Use shortcuts and automation tools like Stream Deck and focus modes on iOS to start and stop timers automatically. This reduces the manual effort involved in time tracking.
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