Finally, you were offered a position or project that you’ve been vying for a while now. Included in the contract is a stipulation where you have to use a time tracker to monitor your work. This sounds unnecessary for a results-based virtual assistant such as yourself, but then it’s required by your client.

Even logging in and out at specific times feels burdensome when you’re paid according to output. All the more having your screen captured regularly and your every second recorded. Refusing to adhere to this condition could lead to the employer taking back their offer though.

This could be your only chance of getting the job, so why not just learn to deal with time trackers? Future clients may ask this of you; hence it’s best to become comfortable with this arrangement as early as now.

Phase One: Discover the Benefits

Time tracking isn’t favorable only for employers—it aids remote assistants like you as well.

It enables you to work smarter

Time trackers automate processes such as: creating invoices when you deliver output, keeping a record of your progress, and having proof of your efforts. You can also gain insight on which parts of the current workflow should be improved.

It provides you with real estimates

By viewing your logged time, you can find out how much time you usually spend on certain types of projects or tasks. This pushes you to perform better and go beyond client expectations. Additionally, it helps you give the best quote to any future employers based on the data gathered.

It allows you to focus better

Doing several tasks a little at a time could mean that none of them are being completed. However, most clients want to know what specific task you’re working on. Interestingly, when you manually select or input a task on your time tracker, you become less likely to shift from one assignment to another and instead concentrate on what’s in front of you.

It boosts your income

Being a results-based virtual assistant, you will receive more pay when you finish more work. Time trackers push you to perform better and boost your speed. Eventually, you’ll find yourself completing twice the amount of tasks in one day and making more money than ever before.

It tells your optimal workload

As mentioned in a previous post, it’s easy to lose track of how much time you spend in your work. As a result, you might end up pushing yourself too hard, and this’ll affect both your productivity and health. But if you pay attention to how many hours you’ve put in before fatigue sets in, you’ll know your limit. If you go past your magic number, you know it’s time to take a break.

Phase Two: Be Aware of Guidelines

If you want time tracking to be a convenience rather than a nuisance, pay attention to the rules set by your client. Be sure you adhere to each step they’ve detailed, be it never touching any of the screen shots or having separate entries per report made.

Guidelines will, of course, vary by employer and by niche. For instance, a general virtual assistant has different milestones as that of a digital marketing specialist. The former could be expected to spend only two hours on three assignments, while the latter can spend up to two days on one task.

You’re normally briefed on the time-tracking guidelines on your first day. It can be through a video call or a slideshow presentation. Make sure you take notes so you’ll have something to refer back to in the future. Ask questions about any unclear points rather than trying to figure things out on your own later.

Phase Three: Maximise Your Time Tracker

Now that you’re aware of the benefits and client guidelines, you can move on to actually using the tool. Most time-tracking software is easy to setup on your own but your employer may want to walk you through every step. There are also video tutorials on the web that you can watch.

Familiarise yourself with the features that you’ll be using frequently, like the start and stop buttons, as well as the add task function. Once you have a better feel for the tool, you can try experimenting with its more advanced functions. Some trackers allow you to set reminders to take breaks, for example.

Don’t spend too much time tinkering with the software, however. Bear in mind that it’s there to make you more productive and not to distract you from your actual responsibilities.

With That Said…

Initially, time trackers don’t appear useful to output-based virtual assistants. But you shouldn’t write off something just because you don’t fully understand it, or have never used it before. You’ll come to realise that time tracking is actually beneficial to clients and remote assistants alike.