When it comes to tracking your valuable time so you can bill clients, the right app matters. A good time tracking app to help you track employees as well as yourself can help you be more efficient as a company.
But what about personal time tracking? Have you thought about how to boost your productivity on an individual basis? As you track your time use and look for ways to cut out the unnecessary things in your life, consider the following personal time tracking tools designed to help you boost your productivity:
1. RescueTime
Use RescueTime to get an idea of exactly how you are using your time. With the free version, RescueTime runs in the background and catalogs how much time you spend on different websites and applications. Use this app to see where your weak points are and then attack them. You can also pay for a version that will actually block certain websites when you have hit a certain time limit.
2. My Minutes
This is a handy time tracking tool that will nudge you when you’re out of time for a specific task. You can use My Minutes to set a cap on activities like answering email, surfing the web or something else. Once you hit that time limit, you are informed that the time is up. The app costs $2.99, but is very effective. How often do you say you’ll spend 10 minutes on Facebook, only to look up and realize an hour has passed? My minutes can track your time and help you stick to your limits.
3. TomatoTimer
This is a basic online timer that can help you if you are interested in the Pomodoro Technique. The TomatoTimer will help you manage tasks for 25 minutes, then take a short break, and then get ready for another 25 minute stint. It’s very simple, and works well if you are trying to focus on one task at a time.
4. ATracker
Using your iPhone, you can keep tabs on how you use your time throughout the day. Tap your phone to start or stop when you are timing an activity with ATracker. At the end of the day, you’l receive a report on exactly how you spent your time. This is a great time tracking app to let you know where you need to improve, and what, specifically, you can do to boost your productivity. You might be surprised at how much time you’re wasting on unproductive activities.
5. Chronos
Where are you and what are you doing? Chronos can help you figure that out. This app runs in the background of your iOS or Android smart phone and captures your movements. You can use Chronos to get an idea of where you go, and how much time you spend there, as well as how much sleep you’re getting and other data. Then, you can look at the website to see reports. You’ll receive various scores on your wellness and work/life balance as well, providing you with insights into where you could be more productive with your time.
Anytime you use a time tracking tool, though, you need to be honest with what you’re doing, and commit. If you can use that information to boost your productivity and improve your life, even the more expensive apps are worth the cost.
