The Easiest Way to Start Tracking Time

Published {$created} by Carsten Blum

If you’ve never tracked your time before, the idea can feel intimidating.Do you need complicated spreadsheets? Special software? Will it take more time than it saves? The truth is, time tracking doesn’t have to be complicated. In fact, starting simple is the best way to succeed. By focusing on just a few easy steps, you can gain the benefits of time tracking — clarity, balance, and control — without the stress.

In this post, we’ll walk through the easiest way to start tracking time, even if you’ve never tried before. Reading our quick start guide will get you onboarded quickly.

1. Start Small, Not Perfect

Many beginners quit because they try to track everything at once. Instead:

• Pick just one or two tasks per day to track.

• Focus on your most important or time-consuming activities.

• Don’t worry about accuracy to the minute — rough estimates are fine at first.

The key is to build the habit, not the perfect dataset.

2. Use Simple Tools

Forget about massive spreadsheets or complicated project management apps. Start with:

• A basic timer app or calendar view

• A simple timesheet where you log “start” and “end”

• Or an intuitive tool like Nureti that makes logging effortless

If it takes more than a few clicks, it’s too complex for beginners.

3. Track Daily, Review Weekly

Consistency is more important than detail.

• Make time tracking part of your end-of-day routine

• At the end of the week, review your logs and ask:

  • How many hours did I actually work?

  • What tasks took longer than expected?

  • Did I balance client work with admin and rest?

Weekly reviews turn raw data into insights.

4. Focus on Insights, Not Guilt

Time tracking is not about judging yourself — it’s about learning.

• If you worked longer than expected, you’ve discovered where your estimates need adjusting.

• If you see too much time on low-value tasks, you know where to cut back.

• If you find you’re working late every night, you know it’s time to set boundaries.

The goal is progress, not perfection.

5. Grow the Habit Over Time

Once you’re comfortable, expand your tracking:

• Add more tasks

• Break projects into categories

• Use tags for billable vs. non-billable work

Step by step, you’ll create a clear, accurate picture of how you spend your time — without ever feeling overwhelmed.

Conclusion: Make Time Tracking Effortless

Time tracking doesn’t need to be complicated or stressful. Start small, stay consistent, and focus on the insights that help you work smarter.

At Nureti, we’ve made time tracking simple enough for beginners yet powerful enough for growing teams.

Read our Quick Start Guide and see how to get started in under 5 minutes.