Thousands (if not millions) of articles, books and lectures have been written and given on how to work and live a "balanced life." Much of this blog promotes the concept of LAWYERS having a balanced life -- since our focus is on the legal profession.
We are of the opinion that the key ingredient for balancing your work and personal life can be reduced to a single word - - CONTROL. The degree to which a lawyer is able to balance their professional life with their personal life is directly related to the amount of CONTROL they have over their individual situation and circumstances. Little control = no balance. Lots of control = good balance (and, good personal life).
Kelly Simpson wrote an article in the April 14, 2008 edition of the Los Angeles Daily Journal (legal) newspaper. She is a part-time attorney, and wrote advancing the argument that one can successfully practice law on a part-time basis with a firm - - under certain conditions. Although her article (and her stated conditions) were focused on part-time work, they appear to be applicable to any lawyer who desires to have a more balanced work and personal schedule.
These are the conditions that permitted Attorney Simpson to maintain the personal life (which, in her case, was to spend more time with her family) and still be an effective practitioner:
1) HAVING PREDETERMINED OFFICE HOURS. Arrive at the office and leave the office AT THE SAME TIME every day. Leaving the office at a predetermined time (e.g. 6:00 p.m.) every day allows you to plan for that portion of the day after you leave the office. Having an inflexible departure time is essential - - and a blessing. You might say that this would be impossible for you; but, you might be surprised how clients and co-workers would adopt to such a schedule if (but, only if) you were serious and had sufficient self-discipline to maintain such a schedule yourself. This would also require that you learn to say "No" more frequently. Of course, this is easier said than done. BUT, IT CAN BE DONE.
2) BEING PROACTIVE IN MEETING CLIENTS' EXPECTATIONS. Instead of waiting for clients to call you, and tell you what they want and when they want it, the lawyer should become pro-active by calling the client (before the client calls them) to find out what is needed (in advance of it being needed), so that they lawyer can maintain as much control - and has sufficient planning time - as possible.
3) BEING REALISTIC. It is important to be realistic when allotting (scheduling) time to accomplish major tasks. In other words, do not schedule 5 hours to accomplish a task if (realistically) it will take 8 hours - - because, scheduling 5 hours (for an 8 hour task) could result in you spending 3 late evening hours to accomplish the task.
4) BE FLEXIBLE. You must be creative to figure out ways to make a balanced work-life schedule work...and, it won't always work. When it does not work, be flexible and forgiving - - but, don't make it the rule.
5) NEED COOPERATION. Ultimately, being able to successfully balance your professional life and your personal life will require the cooperation and flexibility of all affected parties - - your clients, your partners, your staff, everyone. If you do not have their understanding (that having a balanced life is important to you) and cooperation, this concept of a balanced life will not work no matter what you do or how hard you try.
Like everything in life, there is a "price" to pay for adopting the above suggestions. You will not win the office aware for spending the most time in the office; you will not be able to take every case that comes across your desk; and, you will be sacrificing some income. But, on the other hand, you will be able to spend more time with your spouse and/or friends, you will get to hug your kid(s) more, and you will have time for a great deal more fun out of the office. Which would YOU prefer?
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