We've all had those days where we look back and wonder, "What exactly did I accomplish today?" Between answering emails, jumping into meetings, and handling unexpected tasks, it’s easy to feel like time just slips away. That’s why I started looking into time tracking—not to micromanage myself, but to understand where my hours go and how I can make the most of them.

One tool that’s helped me with this is Increaser. It's a simple productivity toolkit that’s available online, and it’s got a feature for tracking time that makes a difference. If you're curious, you can find more info at https://increaser.org.

How I Use Time Tracking to Stay Focused

The Time Tracking feature in Increaser works by setting up focus sessions—basically, uninterrupted blocks of time where I work on one specific thing. I pick a project, set a timer, and get to work. It helps me stay on task, and I find I’m a lot less likely to wander off into distractions when I know the clock is running.

Sometimes I forget to start a timer, or I end up working longer than I planned—that's life, right? With Increaser, I can easily adjust the start or end time of a session so that it matches what really happened. It’s flexible, and that makes it a lot more useful for me.

Tracking Time to Reach Bigger Goals

What I like about Increaser is how it ties time tracking to bigger projects and goals. I can set weekly budgets for each project—like, how many hours I want to put into something—and then see how I’m doing as the week progresses. It’s not just about the numbers; it’s about seeing if I’m actually spending time on the things I care about.

When I’m working towards bigger goals, I want to make sure the time I spend actually counts. With Increaser, I can link my focus sessions to those goals, and it makes each tracked minute feel more intentional.

Insights and Adjustments

Another thing I’ve found helpful is the insights that come from tracking time consistently. Over weeks or months, patterns start to emerge. I can see which projects are taking up most of my time and where I might be overcommitting. It’s given me a better understanding of my work habits and helped me make some small adjustments that have a big impact on my productivity.

It’s About Progress, Not Perfection

For me, time tracking isn’t about being perfect or squeezing every last drop of productivity out of my day. It’s about understanding myself better, being honest about where my time goes, and making small improvements that help me feel more in control. If that sounds like something you’d find useful, you can learn more about Increaser at https://increaser.org.