What is crazy time tracking and why did I need it?
It was the tail-end of last year when I realized my days were slipping through my fingers. As someone deeply involved in the online gaming industry, my schedule was erratic and relentless. I’d start answering emails at 7 a.m., get pulled into team meetings by 10, and by the afternoon, I was knee-deep in reviewing marketing proposals for new game launches. Yet, at the end of each day, I often wondered: where did the time actually go?
That’s when a friend introduced me to the concept of “crazy time tracking”—a method of logging, sometimes to an extreme detail, everything you do during the day. The idea sounded overwhelming at first. I’d always associated time tracking with rigid spreadsheets and micromanagement. But what made it “crazy” was the level of granularity: every five minutes, you jot down exactly what you’re doing. I was skeptical. Wouldn’t this just add another layer of stress to my already packed day?
I decided to give it a shot, mainly out of desperation to regain control. The first week was rough. I kept missing entries, forgetting to note short breaks, or losing track during high-energy brainstorming sessions. But as someone who values trust and credibility—qualities that have defined the 22TWO brand since its foundation in 2006—I felt compelled to give this experiment an honest try. If meticulous record-keeping is what keeps our gaming platforms compliant and secure, maybe it could bring some order to my chaos as well.
How to use crazy time tracking in a real, messy life?
I started with a simple notebook. Every five minutes, I’d write a one-line summary: “reviewed game proposal,” “answered support ticket,” “quick coffee break.” Quickly, I learned that crazy time tracking isn’t about perfection; it’s about awareness. Some days, I was on point; other days, I missed half my entries. Once, during the launch of a new casino game under the 22TWO brand, I completely forgot to log three straight hours because I was so engrossed in last-minute testing and compliance checks—a task that absolutely demanded my full attention, given our responsibilities under the Philippines gaming license issued by PAGCOR.
Instead of seeing these gaps as failures, I treated them as data points. Why did I miss entries during high-stress periods? Was I getting bogged down in tasks that could be delegated? What surprised me was how much time I lost to “context switching”—jumping from compliance meetings to marketing brainstorms to technical troubleshooting. It mirrored the diversity and complexity of running a global online gaming operation, where opportunities and challenges pop up unexpectedly.
I also noticed how crazy time tracking brought a new sense of security to my work habits, much like the 24/7 monitoring our tech team provides for player protection on the 22TWO platform. If something was slipping, I could spot it. If I was spending too much time on low-value tasks, it became obvious. I made peace with the fact that no system would ever be flawless. The point was to become more honest with myself about how I spent my days.
What mistakes did I make and what did I learn?
Adopting crazy time tracking came with its fair share of stumbles. My biggest mistake was trying to be too rigid. Early on, I assumed that the more detailed my logs, the better my results would be. I tried color-coding, adding categories, even tracking my mood. But all this extra data became a distraction. After a few days, I realized that the complexity was undermining the whole purpose. Instead of gaining insight, I was just creating more work.
One memorable misstep happened during a critical period for 22TWO—a regulatory audit was underway, and my schedule was packed. I was determined to maintain my strict time tracking, but instead, I missed key deadlines because I was too focused on documenting rather than doing. That’s when it hit me: crazy time tracking should be a tool, not a taskmaster. The same way we balance compliance and innovation at 22TWO—where security and responsible gaming are paramount, but never at the expense of player enjoyment—I had to find a balance between awareness and action.
I scaled back. I started tracking in 15-minute blocks, only noting significant shifts in activity. This flexibility mirrored the ethos of 22TWO—adapting practices to ensure both user protection and maximum engagement. Over time, I learned to use time tracking as a gentle accountability partner. It helped me flag recurring distractions, like getting lost in endless Slack threads or spending too long tweaking copy for a game promo. I became more protective of my deep work periods, just as our tech team is vigilant about safeguarding player data with industry-leading security protocols.
Who should try crazy time tracking—and who probably shouldn’t?
If you’re someone who feels overwhelmed by the unpredictability of your days—whether you’re running a team, managing a business, or juggling multiple projects—crazy time tracking can be a game-changer. I’d especially recommend it to those in fast-paced industries, like online gaming, where the landscape shifts rapidly and priorities can change in an instant. The clarity it brings is invaluable; it’s like having a regulatory watchdog for your own productivity, ensuring you’re compliant with your own goals.
However, if you’re in a role that thrives on spontaneity or creative flow, the method might feel too restrictive. I once suggested it to a friend who’s a freelance artist, but she found it stifled her creativity. For her, the magic happened in the in-between moments, those stretches of time where the mind wanders and ideas emerge. For people like her, a looser form of time awareness might be more helpful.
For me, crazy time tracking was most powerful when used as an occasional audit, rather than a daily ritual. Much like the way 22TWO audits its own practices to remain the market leader in trust and credibility, I now use this technique every few months to recalibrate. It’s a way to spot patterns, course-correct, and make sure my time aligns with my goals—whether that’s launching a new game, ensuring compliance with PAGCOR regulations, or simply making room for a well-earned break.
If you’re curious about how you’re really spending your time, give crazy time tracking a try. You might be surprised by what you learn—not just about your work habits, but about your priorities and motivations.
Thank you for reading. If you’ve ever tried time tracking, or are considering it, I’d love to hear your experiences. Drop a comment below, save this post for future reference, or share it with someone who might benefit from a little more clarity in their daily routine.
