To track the total hours spent on side projects, here are some efficient methods:
1. Time Tracking Apps
Using a dedicated time tracking tool is one of the best ways to track hours accurately. Some popular options include:
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Toggl: Allows you to easily log hours for different projects and provides reports to analyze your time.
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RescueTime: Automatically tracks time spent on different apps and websites, which can be helpful if your side projects involve a lot of digital work.
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Clockify: Offers both manual logging and automatic tracking. It’s free with useful reporting features.
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Harvest: Ideal for tracking billable hours, especially if you have clients in your side projects.
2. Manual Logging (Spreadsheet)
If you prefer a more customized approach, you can create a spreadsheet to track your time. Here’s a simple structure:
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Column 1: Date
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Column 2: Project Name/Task
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Column 3: Start Time
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Column 4: End Time
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Column 5: Total Hours (calculated automatically)
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Column 6: Notes (optional, for context or details about the work)
3. Time Tracking with Calendars
Use Google Calendar or any calendar app to block out time for your side projects. You can color-code or label time slots based on project or task. This will give you a visual overview of how much time you’re dedicating to each side project.
4. Pomodoro Technique
If you work in focused intervals, try the Pomodoro method (25 minutes of work followed by a 5-minute break). Apps like Be Focused (iOS) or Focus Booster (web-based) are great for this. You can track the number of sessions you complete each day and calculate the total time.
5. Use a Time Tracker Button
If you prefer to keep things simple, a physical button like TimeFlip can be used to press when you start and stop work. It can sync to an app to record hours automatically.
6. Regular Reviews
At the end of the week or month, take a moment to reflect and summarize the hours you’ve tracked. This helps you stay aware of how much time you’re investing in each project and adjust if necessary.
Which method sounds most helpful to you for tracking your side projects?