Trial Magazine

Our jobs are demanding. While hard work is important, so is time efficiency. Time management skills increase your productivity and reduce your stress levels. Here are some ways to make every minute count.

Minimize interruptions. “Block” your time.

For example, schedule 30 minutes in the morning and in the afternoon to check and respond to emails or phone calls. When you leave a voicemail, include the specific time of day that you are available for a call back. Blocking time for specific tasks allows you to complete them without distractions. And find out if teleworking is an option: You may be more productive without the typical office interruptions.

Eliminate distractions. Track your time to see how you spend it. You may be surprised at how often you are distracted and derailed by things that seem like emergencies but really don’t need your immediate attention.

Delegate. Train your staff so they expect and know how to perform certain tasks when you are unavailable, such as responding to calls from your client or opposing counsel. Use weekly staff meetings to keep track of your team’s workload and help them understand their duties. Make sure you give your staff adequate feedback so they know whether they are meeting expectations, and ask them what tasks they think they excel at.

Say no. Your ability to say no—and to set priorities—is an important part of time management. It allows you to spend time doing things you really need to do and avoid wasting time on things you don’t.

Organize your desk. A desk piled high with papers is a visual distraction that may prevent you from concentrating on the task at hand. Create a chronological filing system for your pending projects and a simple alphabetical system for organizing information.

Vacations. Take time off to avoid burning out. Even if you need to be available on vacation, you can still have fun. Every day, block out time to return emails and deal with emergencies to prevent being overwhelmed when you return to the office.

Kelly Hyman is an attorney at Searcy Denney Scarola Barnhart & Shipley in West Palm Beach, Fla. She can be reached at kah@searcylaw.com.