Junior partner returning from maternity leave very soon, and I’d like to be implement better work habits. Pre-baby, my work habits contributed to work on evenings and weekends that was sometimes avoidable (don’t tell my spouse I admitted to that). What are your best tips/techniques/hacks for time management? My issues aren’t uncommon: midday lull in productivity, putting off the least desirable task in favor of ones I dread less, putting off work on long term projects.

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I start my day at 5 work for a few hours and tackle the most miserable thing first. Then when the emails and calls start I’ve had two pretty uninterrupted hours (I recognize you have a baby so sleep / lack of interruption will be lacking).

I delete time sucking apps during the week (Fishbowl, IG, Facebook) and catch up on them on the weekends.

I always make my to do list the night before.

I got to the gym (or for a run) mid-day during the lull and am open with the partners I work for and clients that I have good relationships with that I am basically useless between 1-3. If it’s a rest day, I mentor a Junior during that lull (coffee / lunch etc.)

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There is literally no point fighting it. If it was really necessary, emergency adrenaline would kick in (trials, short filing deadlines).

Also for anyone thinking this doesn’t apply because of their big firm lifestyle I promise I am at a big firm too!

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I recommend listening to UFYB on Castbox (Unf*ck your brain). The first 24 episodes (pre-UFYB) are specifically for attorneys and have helped with my productivity and stress management. I still have my lull days but when I do, I have learned the right tools to deal with it and try to turn it around.

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Just subscribed. Can’t wait to check these out

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Following because I need this advice as well.

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I think you’ll see that when you’re motivated to be free for evenings/weekends you won’t have the same midday lull! I told my colleagues I was off at 4 so that I could spend time with my daughter and then would log back on after she went to sleep when necessary.

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Start every day with five to ten minutes to create a workable task list for the day/week. Create new rules for email folders and prioritize how you respond by creating a flag/color system. Rely on your staff to coordinate meetings, update your calendar and send you reminders.
Read Daniel Pink’s “When.” He discusses how our brains work differently during different times in the day and he offers suggestions of how to effectively manage your time.

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Following. I need this.

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Congratulations on your baby. You have obviously been successful to date professionally, so don’t assume just because you have a baby you are going to be able to change your work habits completely. A couple of tips:

1) You are going to be exhausted once you go back to work - no matter how well your baby sleeps. It takes time to readjust and split your very changes personal life and professional life.

2) Go outside and walk/get some kind of exercise from 1-2 or 2:30 if you can spare that much time.

3) Treat your workday as ending at 1:00. Put pressure on your morning in the same way you do towards the evening hour. Stop working at 1:00 and go outside- no matter how good a groomer you are in.

4) When you come back, put your head down and set another departure time for the evening.

5) do the worst task first (it is t going away even if you pretend it is.

6) if you need some late days in the office to get everything done, that is ok. Just make sure they are planned out in advance (as best you can) so that you don’t slip into the situation where you slow down your workspace because even though you didn’t plan to stay late, you know you can. That is the pre-baby approach, which many people have.

And finally, cut yourself some slack. Figuring out a new way to work isn’t easy.

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Pick two or three days a week that are your “late days” and commit to going home on time the other days. This will make you feel less guilty about staying late the “late days” because your schedule says that’s what you’re doing that day. It also gives continuity for your spouse and baby.

If you can afford a nanny then there is no shame in having a nanny at the house in the evening so you can be close to your baby and still get work done.

Consider a meal service and laundry service so your time stays focused on work and family only.

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Agree! I usually take a couple super late days a month (work until 10 or Midnight). My youngest is 2. That said, working in office that late is basically impossible if your baby is exclusively breast fed. You have to nurse and pump on regular intervals and when you work late that means dipping into your back up supply (if you even have one...). I wound up supplementing with formula to work late with my first 2 kids. My third is a wild maniac who has never agreed to drink from a bottle. Trying to work full time with a baby who doesn’t eat during the day is basically a recipe for PPD. Luckily there are very few babies like him. 🤦🏼‍♀️

agree on the nanny and laundry service. And definitely need a cleaning lady. I try to maximize quality time when I’m not at work. My mom moved in with us when my third decided he wouldn’t eat during the day. I was scared that some other caregiver would shake him. So now granny is our “meal service.” Husband and granny are BFFs. Thank god.

Stay off social media until a certain time, like after dinner. Put your phone out of reach.

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Agree. I finally deleted social media off my phone. Though online shopping and panic scrolling the news cycle are just as distracting. 🤦🏼‍♀️

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Read Atomic Habits and The Productivity Project.

I do best when I have a bullet journal.

Tips for getting through mid-day slump:

1. Get up and move
2. Drink enough water throughout the day
3. Give yourself transition timers (like have a 40 minute lunch with a timer at 30 min to start wrapping it up)
5. If you feel like you can’t possibly work on something, set a timer for five or ten minutes and tell yourself you only have to work that long. Often it’s the right amount of time needed to get gears moving and you’ll be able to keep going.
6. Buy a Time Timer (for kids with adult cult following) as a better visual for techniques like work 45 minutes, break for 15 minutes
7. Take actual breaks away from your computer. Set timer for breaks so you don’t spend more time than you mean to on break
8. Find useful but easier things to do when tired in afternoon, such as review weeks time entries or clean up your desk space.
9. Schedule focus time on calendar. Get rid of distractions and use that time 100% toward your assignment.
10. Seriously get rid of distractions. Don’t keep email open when in focus time. Turn off phone notifications and put your phone on the other side of the room. Get a sound machine if noises are distracting.

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