Have you ever had one of those days where you worked all day but have no idea where the time went? We've all had one or two days like that, but if it happens frequently, it is time for you to figure out why!
A few years ago I found a simple, yet effective little desktop application that helps you see how you spend your time and monitors how well you use it!
Time Doctor allows you to identify your priorities and then measures how much time you are spending on those tasks.
You can then decide if it is enough time, do you need to move things around or allocate it to your prioritized task?
At one point, I had a client that was struggling to get her priority tasks complete. She insisted that she was focused the majority of the day, but could not seem to get them done. We agreed that she would install Time Doctor to see where her time was really going. Facebook and Youtube took up over 35% of her day for 3 days running. At that point, we decided a social media intervention was needed!
Once she had a clear picture of where her time was really going, she could adjust. In a little under a week, her priorities had made significant headway.
Time Doctor monitors in real-time, so you see exactly where your time goes. No more wondering or assuming.
Until we talk again,
Live Fully — Love Openly — Laugh Often — Leverage Your Brilliance — Connect Authentically — Get Your Message Out — Serve with Impact — Prosper Everyday
Lisa Rothstein says
I think this is great…too bad it only works on your computer! I wish there were a Time Doctor I could install in my head to monitor all the daydreams, “great new ideas” and worries that take me off task during the day! I bet I spend at least half my time there.
I read where they’re already inventing a way to visualize thought…hey maybe I should make an app for this …on the other hand that’s a little scary in a sci-fi kind of way…never mind, what was I doing when I stopped to read this post?
🙂
Stephanie LH Calahan says
Ahh Lisa, I hear you! You are such a creative person that I’m sure you have lots of time “visioning.” In some ways that can be really good for your business. I’m thinking your app idea is too scifi scary for me. Though, I bet there is someone working it somewhere!
Julia Barnickle says
This sounds like a great tool, Stephanie. I’m not sure I want to know where I spend all my time, though – I would feel terribly guilty about the time I “waste”! 😉
Stephanie LH Calahan says
Hi Julia. Lots of wasted time, huh? 😉 I can see where it might be scary. On the other hand, it could be empowering too.
Tandy Elisala says
Stephanie, I’m going to check out this app. I was posting a comment on another article and saw ‘time doctor’ and had to check this out. I plan on installing this and determining what surprises I may find! It will be scary and empowering at the same time. You don’t know what you don’t know until you know you don’t know it, right!?!
Stephanie LH Calahan says
Exactly right! Have fun learning more about how you use time.
Lisa Rothstein says
I actually started using it after reading this post. It’s great because you see in a subtle way how long certain things are really taking you — I was dawdling over a taskthe other day and when i noticed the timer I kicked it into gear because that activity didn’t deserve to take up that much time. Also it makes it fun to “beat the clock” and check off tasks. I worried it might make me feel guilty but it’s actually empowering and fun. Thanks for this share, Stephanie!
Stephanie LH Calahan says
Woohoo! That’s awesome. Glad to hear it’s working for you.
Lisa Rothstein says
Only downside it that it seems to take up a lot of resources and make my laptop slower. (Of course, it COULD be the 87 tabs i have open in Chrome) 😉
Stephanie LH Calahan says
Hmm. Yes, multiple tabs might be the issue! Do you shut down the computer nightly? That might make a difference too.
Carlo Borja says
This is a fantastic review of Time Doctor, Stephanie!
Thank you so much for recommending us and we are glad how we were able to help you with your client issues. We hope to be able to help more. We’re continually improving the product.
How is it working for you so far? Let me know if you have concerns. Let’s keep in touch.
Cheers to productivity!
– Carlo
Marketing Head,
Time Doctor
Stephanie LH Calahan says
You are most welcome Carlo!