What are your best tips for not getting deregulated in this job?
Bonus points tips when you’re dealing with tons of unexpected work that details all your planning /project management or deadlines you think you can meet then it turns out you can’t

likehelpful
Posting as :
works at
You are currently posting as works at

I use a cycle system combined with calendaring every component of tasks, and I’m convinced it cannot be beat. Regular to do lists (TDL) didn’t work for me and I lost too much time to task switching/distractions.

First, I calendar deadlines for each sub-component of a task, not just the useless final deadline. You can visually see your bandwidth and adjust (I’d rather work an extra hour M-F than pull an all-nighter.)

Using discovery responses as an example: when they are propounded we automatically schedule the following deadlines (that are split between me and my paralegal):
prepare shell responses (him); provide bulletpoint initial objections (me, for him to input in the draft); initial pass and flagging items we need to follow up on (me); requesting information from client (there’s 3 of these); finalish draft for client approval (me); final for execution (him).
Each of those steps is due on a particular day.

Second, I work in cycles. 1) Checking email. Tasks > 10 min get assigned on the TDL. Then I ignore email alerts until the next cycle. 2) I knock out small administrative items (like sending out follow ups) and those email tasks that take <10 min. These are mostly similar items so no loss to task switching and helps me build momentum. 3) I have a dedicated working session (60-120 minutes) where I knock out tasks for that morning. 4) this is a flexible free space for fire drills, office hours, etc. 5) repeat the cycle.
Most critically I have allocated tasks that once completed, I can go home. I also schedule work based on the time of day. I’m useless at 1pm so that’s when I schedule the fun/interesting things; but lame tasks I do first thing in the morning. And the game I play is: try to leave at the same time every day this week.

There are some exceptions. I have outlook rules for emails from certain people or with certain subject lines, that will pop up an alert no matter where I’m at in the cycles. But generally I want to stay out of my email. 95% of the time same day (or less than 24 hr) responses are good enough, so why sabotage my productivity for quicker responses? It can sit for 3 hours I promise you.

helpful

TLDR: I think I’m very lazy but clever, and I’ve built a system that makes me appear to be a hard worker burning the midnight oil, but lets me get by with less than 40hrs a week. Everything is in service of these 2 goals. I’m also IHC which rewards efficiency.

My system evolved over time, but it did so to meet my needs. Let’s take a commercial deal. Redlines come in.
1) When is your final response due? You need to work backwards from there. 2) you need time to review the draft and assess WHO needs to do what. You need time to WHAT redline clauses within your control (sometimes you do it while reviewing, sometimes you come back to it).
You need time to escalate to stakeholders (who do not work for you, so you must build in time for it to work through their queue, and time to send them a reminder and follow up).

So I start my day by checking my email. I got 3 action items: 1) do we have an NDA with XYZ (that takes less than 5 min to check so I do it and respond). 2) review NDA redlines (this goes on my TDL and I knock out all NDA drafting at 4pm because I get 2-3 daily). 3) request to review MSA redlines (I send back an auto response asking for details, and I might need to fit this into a 20 min working block later in the afternoon so I can get out stakeholder escalations same day.

Email cycle is done. I move on to admin cycle. I have 10 pending deals so I blast out follow ups to all stakeholders who owe me feedback (if my request has been sitting 48 hrs.) I check what’s due today and slot it into working sessions (boring items early in the morning, fun stuff during my lulls) and double check the rest of the week isn’t overloaded. Check for meetings and ensure I have 10 min before each to prepare. All small stuff but by golly, knocking out 5 tasks gives me a surge of momentum.

I enter my first working session. It’s a 60 page MSA with a Telco. I’d previously gotten all details from the business partner. It’s going to suck so I have 90 min dedicated uninterrupted. I go through flagging items for every stakeholder (including me). By the end I need a list of escalations drafted and sent out (redlining my own topics is a stretch goal). That technically puts the ball in others court (if I’m asked for a status I can point to others) but it gives me extra time to complete the revisions on my topics.

Then I check email again, then do admin items again, then I have a fire drill/flexibility window. I might answer Teams messages here, or return calls, before hitting a 60 min working session.

There are some other useful hacks I’ve implemented because I’m IHC with poorly trained business partners. I leverage 1 click auto responses so I never need to draft the same email twice. I dedicate certain times of the day to complete routine asks. I redline all NDA’s at 4pm no matter when they came in (theres no such thing as an emergency NDA, just poor planning).
I process deficient requests at 4:30 daily (see below). Emails before 4pm get a same day response, but after they might get shunted to the next day.

I work with Sales reps who will try to dump MSA redlines on me (or requesting word versions of our MSA for customers to redline) without any details. That’s a template auto response back asking for deets on the deal size/scope, approvals to deviate. It’s a short list of bulletpoints they need to fill out. (I spent a lot of time building playbooks and getting authorization for deviations from stakeholders, but it’s service dependent; we’re not offering redlines for anything below 7 figures unless an SVP has signed off..)

If they try to do anything besides answer my list (like attaching several emails that might have the details), they get an auto response back at 4:30 asking them to provide the deets. Unsolicited teams calls aren’t answered, and non-VIP Team messages are ignored until an admin block. There’s very few open blocks on my calendar, but I “move things around.” I never push back on work but might push back on deadlines (again I might offer to “move things around”.)

How do I get away with this? I earned a reputation for cranking out work product like a machine. I send it around the clock (emailing 3 drafts at 2,6,10pm is better than sending all three at 2pm). If you give me the data I’ve trained you to provide, you get things back lightning fast. If you don’t, you get crushed by bureaucracy and 24 hr responses. I always respond to emails within 1 business day, and the ones that irk my partners are all pre-drafted so you can’t get offended by tone. I have the hallmarks of being busy (no instantaneous responses, full calendar, visible deliverables). It’s nearly impossible for me to miss deadlines because everything has been broken down into chunks and scheduled well in advance of the real deadlines. The repeating admin cycles forces me to follow up with people who owe me work (if it’s now become urgent I get to blast you 4x a day and start CC’ing your manager.)

likehelpful

Related Posts

I’ve heard it’s difficult to get into Private Equity after earning an MBA, is this true? If I work as an MBB consultant for a few years on primarily PE casework after getting an MBA, what would my exit opportunities look like if PE is not an option? Would all my work with PE cases just be wasted?

like

Anyone from Amazon India Finance division? Looking for an employee referral.

like

/the 7 people that upvoted it. Too many consumers around here!!!

like

Hi Folks,
I got selected in LTI and got confirmation on selection procedure, I had a discussion with line HRon CTC part as well, now after all discussion HR is telling she is not getting approval from BU on my on boarding because of hing demand of CTC, now I am asking to line HR on offered CTC but I am not getting an update, can you please guide me what should I do now.@Lti

like

Any body got retention offer from LTI?

like
like

Why am I considering this???

Post Photo
like

What is your savings rate for the year?
I am saving 66% of my take home pay and I’m pretty satisfied with it.

likeuplifting
like

What do you like about working in tech ?

like

Got promoted to Senior Associate but imposter syndrome is kicking in. Any advice for gaining the competency to perform at the level required?

like
like

Hey all. Just had a question for any insurance underwriters who work in the states. I am moving down there at some point and I would like to know.. What is the insurance landscape like compared to canada? Anyone working in new York state? Is there a lot more red tape? What is the pace of work like? If anyone is willing to have a phone call that would be greatly appreciated. I am in environmental.

like

I got a offer from HCL as a Process Lead , Can someone let me know what would be my Key responsibility Areas and Profile.

Area- Applications

funnylike

Looks like Senator Harris delivered Detroit, Milwaukee, Atlanta, and Philadelphia for Joe Biden. Strong! 💪🏾

likeupliftingfunny

Hi. Can I bounce some ideas for a spot off one of ya?

Anyone in Boston want these books? You can have them for free if you come pick them up in the north end. For anyone wondering why I have the LSAT prep tests, they are good practice for critical reasoning and reading comprehension.

Post Photo
likefunny

Hello! I’m looking for an affordable financial planner based in Boston or available for a remote consultation. I am a professional in their later 20s looking to set up a budgeting plan for myself. Thanks so much!

like

Additional Posts in Lawyers with ADHD

There’s been some posts on the best planning tools (e.g. planners, calendars, etc.), but my question is how do ppl make sure they use them? I get them and am excited about the possibility of them helping for about a week then I just stop using it. Even if I find it helpful I just never stay consistent with it. Does this happen to others? Any tricks or suggestions to stay consistent using planners, to do lists, calendars, etc.

like

Has anyone figured out OneNote? I’m trying to get organized...again.

like

What are your strategies for completing work efficiently? How do you figure out how long projects should take? A consistent piece of feedback on my yearly reviews has been that I over-bill & spend too much time on assignments. It’s something I actively work on, but I still have no concrete sense of how long I should spend on basic tasks (e.g., drafting a motion to dismiss). My firm is right to expect that I manage my time better as a mid-level associate. WFH has made my time management worse.

like

One of the things that my ADD coach helped me with was realizing that I wasn’t prioritizing activities that help me feel recharged. Between work and home responsibilities, I was just burnt out and overwhelmed.

So now when I start to get burned out I focus on reducing auditory overwhelm, getting outside, listen to music, get comfortable, read a fun book, etc.

As we’re heading into the weekend, what are some things you do to recharge and give yourself a break?

likesmart

Monthly rant thread. Lots of firms with a fiscal year close of Oct 1, everyone racing to the finish line with billables.

Tell us about your hopes, your dreams, your struggles, your insecurities and what made you laugh lately.

like

How do you manage keeping track of and responding to teams chats and emails in a timely manner? I have a hard time addressing chats when I am focused on something else, because I know it will completely derail me. But then I forgot to circle back to the chat when I’m done and I’ve recently been told that my response time is unacceptable and needs to improve, but I’m truly unsure how to improve.

like

Does anyone have tips/methods for staying on top of all the little things? I’m in litigation and it’s a constant struggle to make sure I have accurate and up to date ‘bring ups’ and that I float anf rename all my emails and get all my time in and update my partner etc. like I can maybe get 1 or 2 but I’m never on top of everything and it’s so hard!

My partner now accepts and understands I am just going to have some organised chaos but also I want to make this little shit work for me!

like

Has anyone used an ADHD /executive functioning coach? I’ve been on meds since I was 13, but am struggling more than I think I should be with basic things. Some of my poor habits have definitely caught up with me. Any recommendations would be much appreciated.

like

I was recently diagnosed with ADHD and just started medication treatment, and I didn’t realize something was missing this entire time. My brain finally feels so calm!!

Studying for the bar, and my first 2 years of practice exacerbated my symptoms so badly. I couldn’t keep up with the long hours at work! I feel like I have a fighting chance now!

likeuplifting

I’m switching to Strattera (from Adderal XR) after some stories shared in this bowl, and some family members who have been really happy with it.

On my first full dose today and man the nausea is real. Understanding now why my doctor told me to split the dose into different parts of the day. Should have listened. 😅

likehelpful

Started vyvance. I’m eating a lot, super hydrated, no caffeine and I still feel super weird. I’m calm and my brain feels great but physically my eyes are soo dry and my body just feels disassociated. It’s only been three days. Does this pass?

like

Recently stopped taking Concerta (after taking it for almost 2 years at varying doses) because it started having some negative effects on my heart rate. I'm getting started on Straterra and a little nervous because I've heard so many bad stories about it. I was super tired the first day I took it and so started taking it in the evenings. Anyone have any good Straterra experiences?

like

Anyone else have days where it seems like your meds just don’t work? What do you do to offset those? This week has been a struggle.

like

What tricks do you guys have to keep you focused for bursts of time? I feel like as soon as I start something, I go back and forth between it and whatever else pops into my mind. Any suggestions are welcomed.

like

Wondering if I should look into anxiety meds (or if I’m just a baby and need to get used to this life).

Have you tried any? Did it help? Affect your productivity? Which ones? tya!

like

Does anyone work in an area with lots of exterior environmental noise (traffic, concerts, trains, etc.) and have tips for not becoming overwhelmed and/or distracted by it? I’m finding that environmental noise has increased near my office now that tourism has picked back up in my city, and I’m struggling to block it out. I’ve tried earplugs but the noises tend to vibrate my office building so the earplugs don’t work well as an entire block.

like

New midlevel associate at a big law firm and still ramping up. I’m having a lot of trouble tackling small or discrete tasks that are either administrative in nature or otherwise because I don’t have a full plate and something to focus on. I feel bad stopping in the middle of the day and doing something else (e.g. watching tv)since I’m already not billing many hours, but my brain feels all over the place and think that may be the only solution. Anyone have exp. with this or advice?

like

My firm recently switched to a time keeping system that monitors everything you do on your computer. I have ADHD and often google random things (I.e. scores of games; actors in movies/shows; news articles; etc.) has anyone had a problem with AI monitoring and/or management getting on you?

like

Everything always takes me so long to do :/

like

What’s the best advice/strategy you’ve adopted for lawyering with ADHD?

like

New to Fishbowl?

Download the Fishbowl app to
unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.
That was just a preview…
Sign Up to see all discussions
  • Discover what it’s like to work at companies from real professionals
  • Get candid advice from people in your field in a safe space
  • Chat and network with other professionals in your field
Sign up in seconds to unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.

Already a user?
Login here

Share

Embed this post

Copy and paste embed code on your site

Preview

Download the
Fishbowl app

See what’s happening in your industry
from the palm of your hand.

A phone with Fishbowl app

Scan your QR code to download
Fishbowl app on your mobile

Download app

Sign up for free to view this conversation on Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

Already have an account? Log in

Sign up for free to continue using Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use(New) and Privacy Policy(New)
Messaging rates may apply

Already have an account? Log in

For account settings, visit Fishbowl on Desktop Browser or

General

Legal