Do you ever wonder why things seem to run much more smoothly when you’re busy? Why do you easily knock things off your to-do list with precision and efficiency in periods of busyness? And why does it feel extra challenging to get things done when there isn’t the same sense of urgency?

 

If you have trouble getting focused when things in your practice slow down or when there isn’t an immediate time pressure, you are not alone. This is a real challenge that lawyers and other professionals experience when it comes to time management. The truth is, there’s a simple reason why we can’t be productive or motivated to take action unless there’s urgency, and this week, I’m showing you how to recalibrate your sense of urgency to flip the power dynamic.

 

Do you feel like you’re currently in a position that, deep down, you know isn’t right for you? Maybe you know that there’s no future for you in your current career trajectory, and yet, for some reason, you decide to stay. How can you make the best of this kind of situation? Is it possible to thrive, regardless of whether you stay or make a move?

 

This is an experience that resonates with a number of lawyers I speak with. They find themselves in jobs they’re no longer passionate about but decide to stay, and it leaves them feeling stuck. There are a few reasons why a job you previously loved might no longer be a great fit, but my goal this week isn’t to persuade you to make a move. Instead, I’m helping you own your decisions and manage this experience in a proactive way.

 

Even though it’s been a decade since I personally transitioned from being a new mom to returning to work, I remember it clear as day. It feels like just yesterday that my year-long maternity leave ended, and I took my son to a childcare provider for the first time; it definitely threw a spanner in the works.

 

Whether you’re a brand-new parent or have been at this for a while but continue to struggle, you’re by no means alone. The choices, challenges, and sacrifices you’ll have to make in your personal and professional life don’t go away as the years go on. While this sounds like bad news, the truth is that navigating parenting and your work is an ongoing balancing act, and I’m excited to share my top tips and ideas this week.

 

In a world where we are faced with a variety of things vying for our attention every day, listening to and giving 100% of our concentration to someone is a skill many of us aren’t practiced in. We aren’t trained to strategically and actively listen, and this is normal. However, I want to impart a few lessons I’ve learned as a professionally trained coach about listening better.

 

Listening is one of the most underrated communication tools available to us, and I believe it can be far more powerful than speaking when it comes to creating connections. There is a gap between the level at which we are currently listening and the level of listening I know we are all capable of. This week, I’m walking you through the steps to becoming a great listener.

 

Criticism or negative feedback is a topic to which we can all relate. Whether in your professional work or your personal life, we’ve all experienced receiving feedback that has felt like a thorn in our side. It might have slowed you down, sown doubt in your self-confidence, or even outright stopped you in your tracks.

 

While criticism in and of itself is not a problem, we can fall into the trap of seeing criticism as something that’s inherently bad. For most of us, experiencing criticism automatically brings up a sense of embarrassment, shame, or discouragement. However, the good news is that you can use it in a productive way rather than letting it slow you down.

 

Delegation is a topic that I frequently address with my coaching clients. It’s a subject to which I’ve been invited to teach at law firms, and I’ve also spoken about this topic from the perspective of a junior lawyer or student who receives instructions from more senior lawyers.

 

If this episode has caught your eye, my guess is that you are either an assigning lawyer looking for ideas on how to delegate more effectively, or you’re a junior lawyer or student seeking strategies for implementing directions with ease. Regardless of which camp you fall into, you’re in the right place because I’m approaching this topic from both sides.

 

Are you experiencing any of the classic time management problems in your practice? Do you dread what’s on your calendar and how it makes you feel? Is procrastination a prevalent issue for you? Do you feel doubtful about your ability to make aligned decisions when it comes to your schedule?

 

While there is a variety of tools and strategies you can implement to try to curb challenging time management behaviors, I’m taking a different approach in this week’s episode. I’m exploring time management through the lens of confidence because the truth is, without examining your lack of self-confidence, you will continue to take self-defeating actions as they relate to your time.

 

If you’re anything like me, you might find yourself struggling with feelings of impatience this summer. This time of year means many of us are trying to get just as much done with less time, and whether this is showing up for you in your professional life or at home with your kids, exercising patience may be challenging right now.

 

Impatience can be an incredibly helpful tool that acts as a great motivator in certain situations. Sometimes, it’s the push you need to get the results you want. However, if you’re noticing a recurring sense of restlessness, anxiety, and discomfort around tasks in your work and personal life, it may be time to explore how to manage your experience of impatience. 

 

Have you ever found yourself in a place where you’ve worked extremely hard to get where you thought you wanted to be, only to feel like you’ve somehow ended up on the wrong path?

 

Maybe you know your position is a coveted one, and other people would line up to be presented with that opportunity, but you can’t help but question it. Perhaps you try to imagine a happy future, and you just can’t see it. Is something else calling to you, and yet, when you allow yourself to follow that thread, it seems reckless to throw away everything you’ve worked for up to this point?

 

There’s something so magnetic about a comeback story, isn’t there? When we see someone experience success, fall from grace, and then find the tenacity, will, and resilience to rise back up to the top, it’s almost ingrained in our DNA as humans to be drawn to that kind of journey.

 

Life is full of setbacks and comebacks. Whether it’s losing a case, making a mistake on a file, or a deal going sideways, there are all sorts of ways your practice will present setbacks that feel devastating. However, the great news is that every setback is an opportunity for an epic comeback, and this week, I’m walking you through all the necessary ingredients for a comeback that has you thriving moving forward.