I have two approaches for logging time. One is for the time I spend at (or near) my computer. Another is for "unplugged" time.
When I am away from the computer, and need to log time, I just use a small binded notebook, that fits into my wallet. I use it for all logging - time, money, GTD capture while on the move, random ideas etc. The main beauty is ergonomics.
Instead of an actual wallet, I use the old removable leather cover from a notebook I've got ages ago as a birthday present. It has a lot of small pockets. I use them to keep money, credit cards, receipts and other small papers in order. But unlike any other wallet, it has this small loop for my jotter ballpoint pen and a place to attach my notebook. It takes me a couple of seconds to fetch it from my pocket, take the pen and be ready to jot things down. (It is especially helpful when tracking expenses. Every time I take out the wallet, the notebook is right there.)
Recently I've been experimenting with my new PDA. It is good enough for writing down notes, but I haven't figured out how to do the timelogging effectively.
When in front of the computer, I use Excel spreadsheet. The beauty of it is
the <CTRL+;> shortcut, that puts current time into the cell. I put times down in a column and have a couple of custom formulas in each row, that do basic analysis - how much time elapsed between two time stamps, what percentage of waking (or work) time it took and so on. I keep this spreadsheet always open. I just need to switch to Excel, press the shortcut and type in a description. With autosave running, I don't even need to save it. Each morning I replicate the clean master worksheet to use for the day. It allows to keep several logs in one file, for easier analysis later on.
This setup allows me to muscle-memorize the routine and keep the log, without breaking the flow state. Otherwise, my productivity suffers just because of the switch needed for time-logging and analysis would become useless.
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Ilya.
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