Most attorneys will say there are never enough hours in the day. But everyone has that friend or coworker who seems to get twice as much done as everyone else. No, they’re not superhuman – they’ve mastered productivity.
We’ve put together a list of ways you can supercharge your own productivity. Whether you’re a busy attorney or a multi-tasking paralegal, these tips can help you have a productive day, every day.It’s no secret that exercise is good for you. But did you know it has benefits for your productivity as well? Exercise increases blood flow to the brain, keeping you alert all day long. It also releases endorphins, whose mood-boosting benefits can have lasting effects on your alertness. Try exercising for at least thirty minutes, five days a week for maximum effectiveness.
At the very end of your workday, spend a few minutes writing a checklist of what you need to accomplish the next day. This helps you hit the ground running every day, and reduces the chance of forgetting an important task.
Complete your most unpleasant task first thing every day. Call your problem client, work on that letter you’ve been dreading, have a conversation with an unproductive employee — whatever it is, get the task checked off your list early.
Doing so will decrease anxiety for the rest of the day, giving you energy to focus on other tasks. It will also give you a sense of accomplishment early in the morning, setting the rest of your day up for success.
Everyone is familiar with the frustration that comes with trying to push through a hard task during the after-lunch energy slump. Assess your energy levels throughout the day and complete that difficult but important task when you know you’ll have energy.
Along these lines, complete your less important, simpler tasks when you know you won’t have as much energy. Most people will be at their best in the morning hours.
Many studies have shown us, multitasking kills productivity. In today’s world, we’re almost constantly multitasking. For at least an hour each day, block all distractions and get to work.
Resist the urge to check your emails, social media sites, texts, etc. during this time. You’ll be surprised at how much you can get done during this time — for many people, it’s the part of the day they look forward to most.
If you’ve read an article on productivity before, you’re probably familiar with this idea. But taking the advice is a different story, especially if you work at a busy law firm. But taking breaks to reset your mind really does work.
Research shows that our brain is capable of solving problems while we’re not actively working on them. This means you might come back from a break with a solution worked out.
Being productive takes more than hard work. Just like a legal argument, it requires strategy. Following these rules will help you stay alert and productive throughout your workday. Click here for ideas on motivating your law firm to become more productive as a team.
At CASEpeer, we are dedicated to making attorneys and law firms more productive. Our comprehensive personal injury case management software is designed to help increase efficiency and collaboration. To find out if CASEpeer is right for you, contact us today for your free demo.