How much time do you waste coding?

If you are reading this article, then you are probably a programmer. Whether you work as a freelancer or a contractor, time is your most valuable resource.

However, developers often find themselves so busy with projects that they don’t pay attention to how they manage their time – if at all.

This article will provide some practical tips to help you be more productive and track the time you waste while coding. I have five questions for you and we can go from there.

1. Do you prioritize your tasks?

Like anyone who has control over their schedule, developers often find themselves starting their day with simple tasks.

They do make it easier to start your day, but they also postpone those looming, daunting tasks until the end of the day.

This can cause undue stress and prevent you from actually getting the most important things done.

That’s why developers should take the time to prioritize their daily tasks and start with the most urgent things on the list to maximize their time. You can do this with a simple pen and paper, or check out some task management tools like Trello or Producteev.

Prioritizing tasks doesn’t mean you have to stand still for 30 minutes with no progress — if you get stuck, just move on to the next task and come back to the first one That’s it.

2. Can you control your distractions?

Most people don’t realize how much time small distractions can take up from their day. If programmers don't make a concerted effort to eliminate them, it can severely impact their productivity.

If you work from home, make sure you have a designated work space away from the rest of the house. Office clutter can also reduce your productivity, so be sure to have a clean desk. Minimize the use of online applications that are not essential for work, such as email, chat, social media, YouTube, etc.

If you’re someone who compulsively checks Facebook (like many of us), there are tools you can use to break the habit. Cold Turkey for Windows and SelfControl for Mac will help you tune out preset network distractions so you don't have to turn off WIFI completely.

3. Do you take a break?

Taking a break sounds like the opposite of productivity, but it’s not. Multiple studies show that taking hourly breaks can actually increase productivity and serve as fuel for creativity.

The most productive developers take their downtime seriously—it means stepping away from the computer and doing something completely different. Surfing the Internet for 10 minutes is not a break (although it does waste your time).

4. Do you set time limits?

Deadlines often seem like a looming stressor that actually does little to get you moving. But brief, tangible time constraints are another matter.

Instead of motivating yourself by saying "This project is due next week," try thinking of more specific, feasible deadlines throughout the day. If a task takes about 2 hours to complete, set a time limit. "I'll get this done by 2:30."

A strong sense of urgency can be a huge motivator, especially if you plan a small reward for your success (like a 15-minute break ).

5. Are you focused on your goals?

Developers have a lot to deal with for any given job they are working on. Focusing on all the little things you need to do to complete a task can be overwhelming or even stagnant.

When you're putting together your daily to-do list, it's valuable to think about small things, but it shouldn't be the focus of your day. To avoid undue stress and resulting procrastination, it's healthier to focus on larger goals, end products, which are tangible projects that you can tackle over time.

How to Determine

There are many tips and tricks that developers can follow to ensure they don’t waste time while coding. But the best way to truly address low productivity is to understand how much of an impact it actually has on your daily work.

With the help of time tracking tools like TimeDoctor, this task is fairly simple. TimeDoctor helps you track the time you spend on different projects so you don't have to.

It also shows you exactly how much time you waste on social media, checking email, or surfing the web. Checking Facebook for a few minutes every hour can do more good than you think.

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