Ballard Spahr LLP, dedicated to the success of its lawyers’ development, invited me to lead a virtual interactive training session.

This CLE-certified program equipped attorneys with the essential skills to excel in three key areas: time management, productivity, and well-being.

Here are some takeaways:

1. Time management is attention management. Be proactive: Do harder, analytical tasks when you are at peak focus, whenever possible, and schedule client meetings other times of the day.

2. Delegating is a critical time management technique. Build ten minutes into your schedule when you have a new matter to decide what/to whom to delegate and assign it asap.

3. When delegating, put the matter in context to help your colleague have an understanding of their role in the case. Encourage questions and set a realistic firm deadline – day and time – to ensure you get the work product back in time for review and to meet your own deadline.

4. Give yourself permission to engage in stress-reducing activities. Be intentional about taking the time, preferably during a lull in your day, put the activities on your calendar and do not cancel on yourself.

5. Take short breaks – 10 to 20 minutes is all you need to get a refresh and return to your desk to be productive. Take a short walk, have a snack, or stop by a colleague’s office for a chat.

Reach out if you would like to chat about your time management challenges. I would love to hear from you!

Gail