Time Management Software

Previously, I talked about some common time management mistakes, so you can avoid them. In this post, I am going to go over the pros and cons of buying time management software.

Are you working for yourself? Are you marketing online? If so, your ability to manage time is important to your success. Not only that, it will directly impact the income you generate. One of the things that business owners do not usually track is the time they spend on each aspect of their workday – time spent on the phone, marketing to new clients, working on client projects, taking breaks, accessing social media and other non-work related activities. For that reason, make sure you have a good sense of how you spend your time.

Unfortunately, good time management is not a skill that we all have. If you are known for getting distracted easily, procrastinating, or falling behind schedule, you may be looking for help. For some, that help comes in the form of time management software, but is it right for you?

The pros

Time management software can promote organization. It comes in many different formats. Regardless of that format, organization is promoted. You should receive specific lists and categories to choose from. For example, you may have the option of creating a daily to-do list, the option of outlining weekly projects, and more.

Time management software is installed right on your computer. Since time management software is installed on your computer and since you work from your computer, it is easy for you to access. In fact, you can always leave the program running in the background for quick access and easy loading.

As previously stated, time management software comes in several different formats. Different programs have different features. Look for those you can benefit from. Do you work as an internet marketer for hire? If so, you can benefit from a program that stores the contact information of your clients, as well as links that information to projects. When buying a software program, only spend money on features you will use.

The cons

Time management software costs money. In fact, it can be expensive. On average, a time management software program costs between $50 and $100. You may find programs for sale for more and less. If you are shopping on a budget, compare prices, but don’t forget value. A cheap software program is nice, but not if it is loaded with features you do not want or cannot use.

Time management software isn’t always a good value for the money. As previously stated, time management software is expensive and it may come loaded with features you will never use. The perfect solution to this problem is programs you can customize for an affordable fee; however, they are hard to come across. As a cheaper alternative, create your own spreadsheet. In fact, many software programs use spreadsheets. The only thing missing is the countdown clock that most include to alert you to an impending deadline.

Time management software can be difficult to use. When buying it, you should receive a detailed user’s manual or have access to help files that will show you how to use it, but you may still have questions. Not only that, if a learning curve is hard, you waste time and it becomes more of a distraction.

As opposed to being simple, learning to use a program can now become a huge distraction. It’s ironic, because time management software is designed to improve your productivity. That is only if you know how to use it. For that reason, read reviews online. If users say a product is hard to use, examine other options.

Now that you have the pros and cons, here are some Time Management software packages you can check out:

Time Doctor

Using this tool will provide you with a full accounting of the time you spend on each activity, with an easy-to-read report. Once you have the report, you will be able to assess and adjust. Time Doctor will remind you when you visit social media sites, for example, asking you if this activity is for work or not?

The goal is to stay focused on work when you should, and to perhaps feel a bit guilty when those little messages come in.

THere is a free 14-day trial and then there is a monthly fee.

Pomodoro Timer

The Pomodoro method of time management has been around since the 1980s and is really quite simple. Basically, you set a timer, usually for 25 minutes, and work in a focused manner for that 25 minutes before taking a five minutes break. That’s one session and you could have four sessions before taking a longer break, like 30 minutes. Each session is called a Pomodoro (Italian word for “tomato”).

There are several pieces of software that use variations of the Pomodoro Technique – check them out and find one that will meet your needs.

Toggl

 

A recent survey of 2,000 workers reported that the average employee wastes about 759 hours a year. This has resulted in employers beginning to utilize time=tracking software such as Toggl. But Toggl is not just for the formal workplace. Freelancers can set up their own time-tracking parameters, setting work and break times and setting up reminders when they veer from work to other distractions.

Rescue Time

Rescue Time is a nice little piece of software that puts freelancers in complete control. With it, you can block websites that will distract you during your work time, or set alerts to let you know when you have spent a set amount of time on a specific task. And the software will automatically log highlights about how much time you spend on each task during your day (e.g., email, on the phone, etc.).

Leave a comment and let me know if you are tracking your time, and how you are doing it. Tomorrow, I will be talking about managing your Internet marketing tasks with a spreadsheet.