When you graduated from law school, someone probably told you that you would have to “get used to” spending your nights at the office. You’ve just broken your back getting your degree, and now you’re expected to give your entire life to your practice. You may have even accepted this idea, thinking it was all part of a lawyer’s life.
Unfortunately, many attorneys buy into this myth. They routinely miss their kids’ birthdays, leave family parties early—and when they do sleep, they keep their cell phones next to the bed. Is this really necessary? Or is it possible to have a thriving law practice and a full and active home life?
Attorney Ben Glass knows that it’s possible—he’s been living this way for years through what he calls “militant time management.” The next time you’re stuck late at the office, consider Ben’s five rules to keep your time—and your life—to yourself:
1. Relate everything you do to your goals.
2. Calculate the true value of your time and delegate everything else that’s not at your “pay level.”
3. Do not make or take phone calls that are not scheduled in advance.
4. Throw out your typical “to-do” list. You are going about things the wrong way.
5. Educate your employees and clients about why your time is so valuable—and why it is in everyone’s best interest to protect your time.
You cannot wear all of the hats in your business. You are an attorney first, a business owner second—and anything else should be handled by staff. After all, if you don’t appreciate the value of your time, nobody else is going to, either.
Starting over can be scary, but it can also be exciting, revitalizing, and motivating. That’s why many people daydream about what they would do if they could “start over.”
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