Laura Vanderkam 15-Minute Time Audit

Examine your daily schedule in 15-minute increments to spot time leaks and protect high-priority hours. This Laura Vanderkam time audit helps you align spent time with true priorities.

5 time blocks, 15 minutes in total.

Time blocks

Log Retrieval: 2 min
Open your weekly time log or spreadsheet
15-Minute Block Categorization: 5 min
Label blocks as core work, maintenance, or friction
Hour Tally: 3 min
Calculate total hours for work, sleep, and personal time
Friction Point Analysis: 3 min
Spot lost pockets of time and unexpected interruptions
Single Weekly Shift: 2 min
Choose one specific calendar change for next week

About this routine

Author Laura Vanderkam popularised tracking life in 168-hour weekly blocks using a Laura Vanderkam time audit. By logging activity in 15-minute intervals, you build an objective map of where your hours actually go rather than where you think they go.

A quick weekly review session turns raw log entries into clear strategic adjustments. You categorize your blocks, sum up totals for sleep, core work, and leisure, and locate friction points that drain focus throughout the day.

Running this 15-minute evaluation every Friday or Sunday keeps your weekly calendar realistic. You can track your process with a daily routine timer to stay focused during the audit itself.

Why this routine works

Exposes hidden time drains and schedule friction
Provides an accurate picture of weekly working and leisure hours
Encourages intentional calendar planning based on real data

FAQ

What is Laura Vanderkam's time audit method?

It involves logging your activities in 15-minute blocks across a 168-hour week, then reviewing the log to categorize hours and spot time leaks.

How long does a weekly time audit take?

Evaluating your completed weekly log takes 15 minutes once you gather your entries and tally your categories.

Sources

168 Hours: You Have More Time Than You Think, Laura Vanderkam
How to Keep a Time Log, Laura Vanderkam Blog