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Nothing wrong with taking breaks. It takes time to adjust to “billing” all day. I wouldn’t worry so much about hours at this point. If you’re getting your work done, and the work product is satisfactory, you’re doing just fine.
Google "pomodoro method" and give that a try. You may need to make adjustments to accommodate the nature of your work, but this may be a helpful starting point that will help "train" you to get used to the staring-at-a-screen-and-typing-all-day-long.
I also try to gamify my day by building in "rewards breaks." I used to smoke cigarettes so these were built into my day, but I guess the 2021 version of a smoke break is something like reviewing a document for 50 minutes, and then take a 10 minute break to open something you ordered from Amazon and play with it for a bit (i.e., instead of opening it when it arrives, wait until one of your breaks to open it as a "reward"). Sounds stupid maybe, but it really is the little things that help you get through the sh*tty days.
Another psychological trick is to identify something interesting to you that you really love and enjoy, like what you would spend your time doing if you didn't have or need this job (e.g., art, music, golf, etc.), maybe something you haven't had time for lately. Try to take a break around the halfway point of your day (or at the 1/3 and 2/3 point) where you immerse yourself in that thing (e.g., looking at paintings online, playing the guitar or piano, practicing your putting, etc.) for 15 or 30 minutes, time permitting. This can help to recharge/reset you and give you that second-wind feeling.
Welcome to the grind :)
This is helpful, thank you! I normally take one big break, but planning out little ones in this sense would be a great idea.
Welcome to Thunderdome (Kidding). I agree with A1 - you’re fine. You are still acclimating to the job, which your superiors likely expect. Try getting a coffee midday. Usually helps me.
If walks work then continue doing that! I try to get to the gym during the days I am not very busy. It’s all about finding your rhythm right now. Good luck but I am sure you will be fine!
you’re not the only one. licensed 2017. been working since i was 16, in the legal industry for 10ish years
Lots of great ideas here and I may use some of them. (I love Pomodoro - some days it's essential.)
Personally, I am never very productive in the early afternoons. It's just not my time. So, during COVID, and if my workload/meeting schedule permits, I have tended to take a break for a couple hours (monitoring email, of course) and then work later into the night. Sometimes I run an errand, nap, wash dishes, whatever. It's still productive time.
It's harder in the office, but that early afternoon time tends to be when I take a walk to grab coffee, catch up a bit with colleagues and chat through issues on files, and generally get away from my desk - if I can.
Figure out what works for you.
Consider whether you have adhd. Seriously google it. I discovered it after being completely overwhelmed at my first law firm job while other people who were as or less smart than me were perfectly fine. So yea, adderall (or vyvanse for me now) but with treatment maybe if you need it.
The beginning is hard. I think that's really when it hits that this is it, no more scheduled school breaks, just every day from here on out. Once in a while, you'll get lucky and bill for 8-10 hours straight, while other days it will take 12 hours to bill 8. The pomodoro method is great, then adapt that for what works best for you. Breaks projects down into tasks, then take a break between tasks. This has helped me. Big daunting projects can overwhelm me but if I break them down into small, manageable portions I actually move through it faster and more efficiently and it holds my focus.
Welcome to hell!
Try adderol :/
Please don’t encourage misuse of prescription drugs.
This is why i left defense. So done w billable hours. Never looking back. I have my life back now.
W a caveat that I did get great defense experience now that Im on the Plaintiffs side :)
For me, it was figuring out the best time of day to work. I am incredibly productive and can work straight through from 6:30-12. After 12, I’m only good for half hour stretches and only for less intellectually intense tasks. Only using this as an example that all of us are so different. Listen to your body and brain. Drink water. Eat carbs (seriously). And don’t beat yourself up if the arbitrary 8-5 time slot doesn’t work well for you. Hopefully your firm is ok with a some flexibility?