Track It All

I track and enter all of my time.

All of it.

✔ billable;

✔ non-billable;

✔ billable-equivalent;

✔ firm investment time;

✔ CLEs, trainings, lunches, coffees.

If it is in any way associated with my career, I track it and enter it daily.

Why?

⌚ It builds the habit. In the beginning, tracking time, for most of us, is not natural. Tracking everything helps you get in the routine. If you do not starting doing this daily from the jump, it can be very difficult to pick it up later (and lots of firms fine you for entering time late).

⌚ If you don't bill your (billable time), you are taking away the opportunity for the partner (for the firm) to invoice your time, you are making the decision for the client about whether or not they will pay for your time. This only hurts you.

⌚ Entering billable-equivalent and firm-investment time shows your work. It shows your investment in yourself, in others, and you firm. Building firm citizenship can be critical to rising through the ranks. Don't underestimate it.

⌚ Tracking CLEs, training, article writing, networking, and everything else, shows that you're active. If billables are low, how are you filling your time? Are you investing in your career? Giving back through pro bono work? Networking or practicing business development? Again: show your work.

⌚ It helps me see where and how I'm spending my time. From there, I can adjust accordingly. Do I need to increase my billables? Can I turn networking down a notch? Am I doing any of it for the sake of doing it and not because it is meaningful.

People hate tracking and entering time. I get it. That is valid.

At the same time: it is what it is.

And: It can be a tool to harness for your benefit.

If you turn it into a habit and a routine, if you use it as a way to see the big picture of your career, you can have some control over it and find power and autonomy.

Get tracking.

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