{"id":149901,"date":"2026-04-29T16:55:13","date_gmt":"2026-04-30T00:55:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/xira.com\/p\/2026\/04\/29\/attorney-productivity-tips-5-tips-that-helped-me-get-my-head-back-above-water\/"},"modified":"2026-04-29T16:55:13","modified_gmt":"2026-04-30T00:55:13","slug":"attorney-productivity-tips-5-tips-that-helped-me-get-my-head-back-above-water","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/xira.com\/p\/2026\/04\/29\/attorney-productivity-tips-5-tips-that-helped-me-get-my-head-back-above-water\/","title":{"rendered":"Attorney Productivity Tips: 5 Tips That Helped Me Get My Head Back Above Water"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Jay Harrington | I experimented with all kinds of productivity \u201chacks\u201d and most were more trouble than they were worth.<br \/>\nThe post Attorney Productivity Tips: 5 Tips That Helped Me Get My Head Back Above Water appeared first on Articles, Tips and Tech for Law Firms and Lawyers.<\/p>\n<p><strong><em>A few months back, I was drowning in work. Every available space on my calendar seemed to be filled with other people\u2019s priorities. (Too busy to read this? Scroll down to listen to Jay\u2019s attorney productivity tips on Attorney at Work Today.)<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-aaw-full-width is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"770\" height=\"495\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.attorneyatwork.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/attorney-productivity-770x495.jpg?resize=770%2C495&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"attorney productivity\" class=\"wp-image-100011181\" title=\"\"><figcaption><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<div class=\"wp-block-yoast-seo-table-of-contents yoast-table-of-contents\">\n<h2>Table of contents<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.attorneyatwork.com\/5-tips-attorney-productivity\/#h-what-worked-5-attorney-productivity-tips-to-maximize-billable-hours\" data-level=\"2\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">What Worked? 5 Attorney Productivity Tips to Maximize Billable Hours<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.attorneyatwork.com\/5-tips-attorney-productivity\/#h-1-time-blocks-for-email\" data-level=\"2\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">1. Time Blocks for Email<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.attorneyatwork.com\/5-tips-attorney-productivity\/#h-2-no-meetings-on-mondays\" data-level=\"2\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">2. No Meetings on Mondays<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.attorneyatwork.com\/5-tips-attorney-productivity\/#h-3-batching-calls-on-fridays\" data-level=\"2\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">3. Batching Calls on Fridays<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.attorneyatwork.com\/5-tips-attorney-productivity\/#h-4-checking-in-with-my-future-self\" data-level=\"2\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">4. Checking in With My Future Self<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.attorneyatwork.com\/5-tips-attorney-productivity\/#h-5-implementing-a-shutdown-routine-to-manage-non-billable-tasks\" data-level=\"2\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">5. Implementing a Shutdown Routine to Manage Non Billable Tasks<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.attorneyatwork.com\/5-tips-attorney-productivity\/#h-scheduling-deep-work\" data-level=\"2\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Scheduling Deep Work<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.attorneyatwork.com\/5-tips-attorney-productivity\/#h-time-tracking\" data-level=\"2\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Time Tracking<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.attorneyatwork.com\/5-tips-attorney-productivity\/#h-now-go-be-more-productive-and-less-stressed-in-the-process\" data-level=\"2\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Now Go Be More Productive (and Less Stressed in the Process)<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.attorneyatwork.com\/5-tips-attorney-productivity\/#h-more-attorney-productivity-tips-to-try-for-professional-development\" data-level=\"2\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">More Attorney Productivity Tips to Try for Professional Development<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wp-block-group cust-audio-set\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"exemag-video-wrapper\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"100%\" height=\"180\" frameborder=\"no\" src=\"https:\/\/share.transistor.fm\/e\/9e26fc15\">[embedded content]<\/iframe><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>While it\u2019s good to be busy, it\u2019s not when you get to the point where things start slipping through the cracks. So I started focusing intently on finding ways to improve my productivity within my law firm.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-what-worked-5-attorney-productivity-tips-to-maximize-billable-hours\">What Worked? 5 Attorney Productivity Tips to Maximize Billable Hours<\/h2>\n<p>I experimented with all kinds of productivity \u201chacks\u201d to improve law firm productivity, and most were more trouble than they were worth. However, five really moved the needle in a positive direction. Here they are, in case you\u2019re looking for a productivity boost, too.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-1-time-blocks-for-email\">1. Time Blocks for Email<\/h2>\n<p>Instead of checking and responding to every new email notification \u2014 which is how I used to deal with email \u2014 I started creating two 30- or 45-minute blocks of time every day to process email.<\/p>\n<p>Automating repetitive tasks, such as sorting emails, can also free up more time for deep work.<\/p>\n<p>Ideally, these are the only times I\u2019m going in my inbox.<\/p>\n<p>By creating time blocks, I have time set aside to work on nothing but email. This allows me to do more and better deep work during the rest of the day.<\/p>\n<p>And I don\u2019t think my clients notice any difference. After all, they want a timely response back from me \u2014 almost never an instantaneous one. Plus I think they prefer me spending more time concentrating on creating good work product for them versus immediately responding to emails.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-2-no-meetings-on-mondays\">2. No Meetings on Mondays<\/h2>\n<p>Everyone has heard that it\u2019s best to get your most important and challenging work done first thing in the morning when your mind is fresh. In the legal industry, uninterrupted time is crucial for handling complex legal tasks effectively.<\/p>\n<p>I started taking that one step further by reserving all day on Mondays for deep work like writing and strategy \u2014 which means having no meetings on Monday.<\/p>\n<p>Many times it feels like I get more work done on Mondays than the rest of the week combined.<\/p>\n<p>This helps build momentum that carries me through the rest of the week.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-3-batching-calls-on-fridays\">3. Batching Calls on Fridays<\/h2>\n<p>While I try to start off the week with a deep-work bang, my creative energy to dive into a project is often sapped by the time Friday rolls around. So that\u2019s the day I try to batch as many back-to-back calls as possible. By focusing on the same task, such as making calls, you can maintain a higher level of concentration and efficiency.<\/p>\n<p>Variety may be the spice of life, but it\u2019s a productivity killer. So when I\u2019m writing, I want to write. And if I\u2019m connecting with people on calls, I want to connect. Switching back and forth (while sometimes inevitable) can be a big distraction.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-4-checking-in-with-my-future-self\">4. Checking in With My Future Self<\/h2>\n<p>While my <em>current<\/em> self may feel stressed and tired, I have a tendency to believe that my <em>future<\/em> self (me two months from now) will have lots of capacity and boundless energy. As a result, I sometimes have a tendency to say yes to commitments in the future that I would say no to if they were happening tomorrow.<\/p>\n<p>To correct for this, I committed to not saying yes to any new commitment until after a 24-hour period has passed. This gives me a chance to check in with my future self and make an honest assessment if I want to say yes to a future request on my time. The answer has been \u201cno way\u201d more often, which has been a relief to my current and future self!<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-5-implementing-a-shutdown-routine-to-manage-non-billable-tasks\">5. Implementing a Shutdown Routine to Manage Non Billable Tasks<\/h2>\n<p>A productive day is enabled by a good morning routine, which is enabled by a good night of sleep, which is enabled by detaching from the stress of the workday.<\/p>\n<p>And detaching from the stress of the workday is enabled by a good shutdown routine at the end of the day. A good shutdown routine also includes time for professional development, ensuring you stay updated and efficient in your role.<\/p>\n<p>Since the boundary between work and life is blurrier than ever, a shutdown routine is more important than ever. Every day, leaving my office, I devote 15 to 20 minutes during which I do this:<\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Tie up loose ends.<\/li>\n<li>Do one last review of email.<\/li>\n<li>Note priorities for tomorrow.<\/li>\n<li>Set an intention for the evening.<\/li>\n<li>Close the laptop and step away from my desk.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>This routine \u2014 like a checklist for a pilot \u2014 helps me walk away from work feeling squared away.<\/p>\n<p>I\u2019m less stressed, more present for others and sleep better. As a result, I\u2019m more productive the next day.<\/p>\n<p>No, my routine isn\u2019t perfect \u2014 and yours probably won\u2019t be either. Yes, it\u2019s sometimes necessary to jump back on the computer at night to respond to messages. But don\u2019t let the pursuit of perfection get in the way of progress. Establish boundaries to the best of your ability.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-scheduling-deep-work\">Scheduling Deep Work<\/h2>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"770\" height=\"495\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.attorneyatwork.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Scheduling-Deep-Work.jpg?resize=770%2C495&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Scheduling Deep Work\" class=\"wp-image-100037461\" title=\"\"><figcaption><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>In today\u2019s law firms, finding time to focus on complex legal work can be tough. That\u2019s where deep work comes in. Deep work is about dedicating time to concentrate on hard tasks without distractions, which is necessary for good legal work.<\/p>\n<p>To make deep work a habit, start by identifying the tasks that require your full attention. These might be drafting complex legal documents, developing case strategies or doing thorough legal research. Once you\u2019ve identified those tasks, schedule specific time slots in your calendar for deep work sessions.<\/p>\n<p>During these sessions, turn off notifications, close your office door and tell your colleagues about your deep work hours. Also schedule these sessions when you\u2019re most focused and alert, like in the morning.<\/p>\n<p>Get your whole team to do this. Taking breaks between deep work sessions can help you recharge and stay productive throughout the day. By doing deep work, law firms can deliver better legal services, meet client expectations and be more productive.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-time-tracking\">Time Tracking<\/h2>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"770\" height=\"495\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.attorneyatwork.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Time-Tracking.jpg?resize=770%2C495&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Time Tracking\" class=\"wp-image-100037462\" title=\"\"><figcaption><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Time tracking is the foundation of productivity in many law firms. It\u2019s not just for billable hours but also to see how time is spent across tasks and projects. This data is key to performance evaluation, decision making and process optimization.<\/p>\n<p>To track and record time effectively consider using a centralized time tracking system. This should be user friendly and accessible to all attorneys and staff. Training your team on time tracking procedures is key to consistency and accuracy.<\/p>\n<p>Reviewing and analyzing time tracking data regularly can reveal trends and areas for improvement. For example you may find that non billable tasks are taking longer than expected and you can adjust your workflow accordingly. This data can also inform billing practices so you can provide transparent and accurate invoices to clients.<\/p>\n<p>By using time tracking tools law firms can improve productivity and client satisfaction through accurate billing and resource allocation. Time tracking is a small investment that can pay big dividends in the long run and drive your law practice forward.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-now-go-be-more-productive-and-less-stressed-in-the-process\"><strong>Now Go Be More Productive (and Less Stressed in the Process)<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>That\u2019s what\u2019s working for me these days \u2014 five simple tips to make you more efficient and productive.<\/p>\n<p>I hope this is helpful if you\u2019re looking for a boost in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hcommunications.biz\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">productivity<\/a>, too.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-more-attorney-productivity-tips-to-try-for-professional-development\">More Attorney Productivity Tips to Try for Professional Development<\/h2>\n<p>There\u2019s no bigger contributor to unhappiness and stress than the sense you\u2019ve lost control. Here are more attorney productivity tips to help you get the most out of your day. These tips can help you build a more effective law practice.<\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.attorneyatwork.com\/time-management-for-lawyers\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Four Productivity Building Blocks of Effective, Efficient and Happy Lawyers<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.attorneyatwork.com\/lawyer-burnout\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Why Are You at the Office Until 10 p.m.?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.attorneyatwork.com\/how-to-get-more-free-time\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">5 Ways to Get More Free Time Each Day<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><small><small>Illustration \u00a9iStockPhoto.com<\/small><\/small><\/p>\n<h2>Get more good ideas to build a better law practice.<\/h2>\n<p><a title=\"Subscribe to Attorney at Work\" href=\"https:\/\/www.attorneyatwork.com\/subscribe\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Subscribe to Attorney at Work\u2019s daily and weekly newsletters for a motivating mix of practice management, profitability, client development and technology tips.<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Jay Harrington | I experimented with all kinds of productivity \u201chacks\u201d and most were more trouble than they were worth. The post Attorney Productivity Tips: 5 Tips That Helped Me Get My Head Back Above Water appeared first on Articles, Tips and Tech for Law Firms and Lawyers. A few months back, I was drowning [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[17],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-149901","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-legal_matters"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/xira.com\/p\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/149901","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/xira.com\/p\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/xira.com\/p\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/xira.com\/p\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/xira.com\/p\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=149901"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/xira.com\/p\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/149901\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/xira.com\/p\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=149901"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/xira.com\/p\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=149901"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/xira.com\/p\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=149901"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}