Taking back control of your time

The most valuable asset you have is your time. But, how often do you spend your day reacting to what comes up instead of actively delivering your key objectives? It's very easy to get caught up with other people's priorities and to lose focus on things like developing your firm's client services, business model, revenues, profits and talent  strategies.

From emails to phone calls to meetings, there
will always be someone demanding your urgent attention. Very likely, a large part of your time and headspace is already taken up with resolving petty partner disputes. But, if you go through life in 'firefighting' mode, you won't be in control of your time and you'll find it difficult to achieve your goals.

When was the last time you took some time to seriously reflect on what's been happening at your firm, among your clients, in the legal market and in clients' markets, and to consider what all of that means for your firm?

As managing partner, developing and implementing strategy is a much more important
part of your job than dealing with office politics.
If you need a further incentive, remember how
your partners treated the last managing partner
who failed to deliver significant earnings growth.

Several successful entrepreneurs advocate only checking emails during dedicated timeslots which are clearly communicated internally and externally. You could do the same with your open-door policy and meeting schedules. And, remember that you don't have to accept every meeting request.

Studies have found that mental capacity and clarity are greatest in the morning, so consider
setting that time aside for your most important work. Try to resist the temptation to start your day with reading emails. Instead, you could ask your secretary to monitor your inbox and to alert you to emails that require your immediate attention.

By carving up your day clearly, you'll get bigger chunks of time which you can use to focus on key projects. And, by reducing the number of distractions you experience on a daily basis, you'll find that you
are more productive and effective as a leader and manager. You'll also be less likely to make decisions without fully thinking them through - which can only be in your firm's and your partners' best interests.

If you're worried about getting your partners on board with booking time with you and/or waiting an hour for you to respond to their communications, consider doing this on a trial basis. Tell them that you are attempting to get the most value out of your time for them - the stakeholders of the business. If nothing else, you'll demonstrate that your time has as much as theirs - even if you don't bill for it by the hour.

Until next time,