March 19, 2025

3 Reasons To Track Your Time

One of my favorite parts of sending an email to thousands of smart people every day is that - SURPRISE! - lots of smart people email me back.

What happens then?

I LEARN STUFF!

Free education... it’s great :-)

Speaking of which...

A bunch of people replied to my “time tracking is a measurement” email to give their reasons for tracking their time...

It’s required by a funding organization that issued a grant
It’s required to maintain “sole trader” tax status in the Netherlands
It’s a ritual that tells the mind, “Now, we focus!”

The first two I was simply unaware of, and they are certainly reasonable (albeit for very frustrating reasons).

The last one took me by surprise, but I can totally see how tapping the button on the top of a Pomodoro timer is a ritual that would help someone drop into “deep work mode”.

IMHO, this is more like lighting incense or grabbing a favorite fountain pen than “time tracking”, but okay... I’ll allow it ;-)

Thanks for all the replies, folks!

Yours,

—J