It’s no secret that lawyers are busy people. Between court appearances, client meetings, administrative tasks and mountains of paperwork, it can seem like there aren’t enough hours in the day to get everything done!
That’s why time management is crucial for every law practice. Every attorney needs to implement an effective program that will allow them to increase productivity while maintaining a healthy work-life balance. Here are some simple procedures that will help your firm run smoothly.
Establish Priorities
Many attorneys turn into Superman when it comes to planning out their day, only to be disappointed when unforeseeable events force them to shift gears. Avoid this pitfall by being realistic with your to-do list and establishing priorities.
Write down everything you hope to accomplish, then determine which items must be completed that day. I call these items your “have to” items. Estimate how long each task will take to complete and try to reallocate (delegate, postpone or determine if these items need to be completed at all) any unnecessary tasks you don’t have time to finish.
Then, Do the Hardest Thing First
When you have an unpleasant task ahead, do you often find yourself leaving it until the last possible moment? Stop procrastinating! Allowing these dreaded assignments to loom over you can detract from the rest of your day, hindering your ability to cross items off your to-do list effectively.
Whether it’s drafting a complex document or making an awkward phone call, tackle these unwanted tasks first thing in the morning. You’ll feel better knowing that you got this activity out of the way, and your day will seem much productive by comparison. I even celebrate these little victories with a treat! Why not? Life is short!
Use Apps
Technology is a beautiful thing and is making the lives of attorneys everywhere much more manageable. Improve your work output and ease your to-do list by using apps and programs specifically designed for lawyers that can help you manage your time better. The University of Wisconsin published an impressive list of apps that lawyers can use for various tasks. These tools help you balance your life and work while traveling, sitting in the courtroom or standing on the sidelines of a soccer game. The page is located at: https://law.wisc.libguides.com/c.php?g=125287&p=819851.
There are many other tips and techniques to manage your time and help balance your life, and I’d love to share them with you. If you’d like to learn more, please let me know. I would be honored to help. You can reach me at teahoffmann@lawstrategycorp.com.
