The practice of law requires, by default, the ability to keep as organized as possible. Akin to spinning plates, the duties of any legal professional can comprise a baker’s dozen of tasks at any given time, all of which has different priorities and requirements. That’s why it’s so important for anyone working in the profession to develop excellent organizational habits. Here are some of the best that you should consider adopting if you find yourself struggling with your own organizational skills.
Don’t Wait Until the Last Minute: Procrastination Will Destroy You
Don’t put things off until the last minute. Procrastination is a highly destructive habit that creates undue stress and prevents you from doing your best work, as attempting to rush to complete a task with a looming deadline means you’ll inevitably miss something. Instead, prioritize your tasks on a daily basis, beginning with the one task that will be the most difficult to accomplish that day. Doing so will ensure that not only will it get done first, but the rest of your day will be a lot easier.
Use Proper Technological Tools to Create and Maintain Task Lists
Don’t know where to start? Write down every task you have to accomplish and use this list to keep track of your progress. Whether it’s a daily list, a weekly one, or a full calendar month, creating and maintaining a task list provides you a clear, easily recognizable snapshot of where you are and where you need to be. While you can certainly write these task lists out longhand, you’d be better suited to record them using any number of technological tools at your disposal, ranging from a simple spreadsheet on your desktop to a list-making app on your mobile device.
Invest in a Time Management Course to Learn Advanced Skills
Keeping organized is more than just making sure your desk is neat – it’s about managing your time effectively. No one is born knowing how to do this innately, however, and this means that taking the time and energy to learn is an investment in your future that will pay dividends. Taking a time management course that instructs you on best practices will provide you the skills you need to budget your time better, ensuring that all the tasks you need to accomplish get done as efficiently as possible — leaving time for you to enjoy the fruits of your labor.
The Benefits of Good Organization
Being a well-organized legal professional provides you with several benefits. You’ll experience much less stress and anxiety about incomplete tasks if you tackle them in an organized manner, and as a consequence, you’ll be happier and more productive. Office managers and senior partners are more likely to recognize your work performance, possibly leading to increased career success. Finally, you’ll know that when you leave work every day that you’re well and truly done, allowing you to enjoy your time off just that much more. In the end, isn’t that what it’s really all about?
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