How to Manage Yourself at Your Law Firm

When it comes to law firm management, wouldn't it be great if there were an app for that?
Actually, there are dozens of software programs and management systems that you could employ. In a few years, a robot will be able to take over firm management. But what about you?
This post is about managing yourself and understanding that self-management leads to better firm management. It's a little old-school lesson in self-discipline:
Deadline: Noon
Harvard Business Review recently released a book on top management tips. One of the top, top tips is to get three things done before noon.
"Statistics show that the team ahead at halftime is more likely to win the game," reported Time. "Enjoy your lunch knowing that you accomplished at least three tasks in the morning."
Break It Down
Attack those tough projects first, breaking them down into smaller parts as you move along.
If you wait until the end to start the hard jobs, you will be fighting the clock when you are most likely to run out of gas.
Multi-Task-Not
You may think that multi-tasking is smart, but it's not. It diminishes your performance in real-time, and may damage your brain in the long-term.
"Stanford University found that multitasking is less productive than doing a single thing at a time," reported the HuffPost. "The researchers found that people who are regularly bombarded with several streams of electronic information cannot pay attention, recall information, or switch from one job to another as well as those who complete one task at a time."
Rinse and Repeat
At the end of the day, evaluate your performance.
"Were there areas in the project scoping that could have been improved?" asks FindLaw's Casey Sullivan, writing about project management tips for lawyers. "Did communication make it easier to keep on top of the matter?"
Be a boss and look at your work like you would an employee's, then do better next time.
Related Resources:
- 5 Tips for Improving Client Communications (FindLaw's Strategist)
- Top 3 Tips for Lawyering on the Road (FindLaw's Strategist)
- Checking In or Checking Out on Vacation? (FindLaw's Strategist)