Uncover the Hidden Hours in Your Day with a Time Audit
Do you track your time?
If you run a service-based business, time tracking might already be second nature to you. But have you ever tracked your time from the moment you wake up to the moment you go to bed?
How often do you find yourself saying, “I’m too busy”? Probably more times than you’d like to admit. The truth is, most of us have no idea where our time actually goes.
I discovered this the hard way. Last year, I decided to do a time audit—and it was an eye-opener. I realised that, in my mind, I was working around 20 hours a week. In reality? It was closer to 40! And the kicker? I wasn’t getting paid for most of those hours, nor were they particularly productive.
This experience completely changed my approach to time management. If you’re feeling overwhelmed or like there aren’t enough hours in the day, a time audit might be just what you need. Here’s how to do it.
Before we dive in, a quick disclaimer: I can’t take credit for this method—it’s something I read about a while ago, and it made such an impact that I had to share it with you.
Step 1: Track Your Time
For one week, track exactly how you spend every 15-minute block of your day. Yes, it sounds tedious, and yes, it requires discipline, but it’s worth it. You can use whatever method works best for you—a notebook, a spreadsheet, or a time-tracking app like Toggl or Clockify. The key is to be as honest and detailed as possible. Every coffee break, social media scroll, and Netflix binge counts.
Step 2: Categorise Your Time
Once your week of tracking is complete, it’s time to analyze the data. Use different colors to categorize your activities:
Yellow: Time spent on self-care (exercise, relaxation, eating, hobbies)
Blue: Time spent with family and friends
Green: Time spent working on your business (strategy, planning, goal setting)
Red: Time spent working in your business (emails, admin, client work)
This visual breakdown will help you spot patterns and imbalances in how you’re spending your time.
Step 3: Reflect and Adjust
With your color-coded data in front of you, ask yourself these questions:
Are you spending your time the way you want to?
Where do you need to make changes?
Are there activities you want to prioritise more, such as time with loved ones or working on your long-term goals?
How much time are you losing to distractions or unproductive tasks?
For me, the results were a wake-up call. I realised I was spending too much time on low-value tasks and not enough on the things that truly mattered—both in my business and my personal life. By identifying these gaps, I was able to make intentional changes to my routine.
Why This Matters
Time is our most valuable resource, and it’s finite. Yet, it’s so easy to let it slip through our fingers without even realising it. A time audit isn’t just about improving productivity; it’s about living in alignment with your priorities and values.
So, are you ready to take control of your time? Start your audit today and see what you discover. You might just be surprised at how much more intentional and balanced your life can become.
