Getting items crossed off a to-do list is satisfying. Imagine that sensation now, radiating brightly on the screen of your laptop or phone, but with a lot more vitality. Comparing the electronic work diary to planners with scrawls or notebooks stained by coffee is a whole new experience. Your life is being color-coded and you’re switching between tabs rather than looking for that hidden pen. It adds a little gloss and is productive. ewd nhvr
For a year, I attempted writing in a diary every day. The word “tried” refers to the fact that I survived until the middle of February. However, the electronic counterpart has an odd habit of lingering. I was unable to escape the reminders that my notes were sending me. It’s no longer cool to hold your phone beneath the meeting table and covertly alter tomorrow’s agenda. It merely takes a few quick clicks to adjust a meeting’s timing. Farewell, insane erasing.
Supervisors have one less thing to worry about thanks to these digital journals. Imagine being able to view via a dashboard who is doing what, when, and for how long. One of my supervisors once compared keeping track of time to “herding cats.” Everyone, including those who start early and those who finish late, is now tracked and documented. There is less misunderstanding and more clarity.
Errors are made. Now let’s talk about audit trails. Was “client call” inadvertently marked as “annual leave”? Not an issue. Every modification can be found someplace by someone. That will be helpful when HR visits to speak with you. In the staff kitchen, stop placing the blame on the incorrect individual.
A peculiar advantage is that patterns emerge, and they can occasionally be unexpected. Have you ever observed that most of your team members are quite active prior to lunch but cease work after 3 p.m.? Using an electronic tracker yields these small bits of information. Modify your plans—perhaps “death by spreadsheet” ought to always occur following a strong cup of coffee.
Concerned about your privacy? The settings on the majority of systems are unchangeable. When and who sees what is up to you. You won’t have any more issues at work since someone noticed your dentist appointment.
Meeting deadlines and working on a variety of chores doesn’t have to seem like juggling a lot of different things. Because they offer search capabilities, tags, and reminders, work diaries are similar to having your own slightly insane secretary. Even offering them a cup of tea is not required.
The process of moving away from paper may seem complicated, but it’s actually rather simple. The younger generation often takes the initiative, while the older generation may grumble—until those gentle reminders come to the rescue. Tech is somewhat like democracy when everyone needs to agree.
Not all electronic work diaries are flawless. They may eat or freeze a note to keep you modest. However, they’ll catch every ping that slips between the crevices. Furthermore, who can honestly recall where they placed their most recent paper journal?
