Shape Your Calendar, Shape Your Practice

Your calendar isn’t just a road map of where you are supposed to be at any given time. It is a management system that, if curated well, can help you be more organized, focused and productive. Your daily choices influence the big picture. So, don’t underestimate the power of a well-shaped calendar system. Here are a few simple tips to get started.

1. Refrain from Overcommitting

If your day is stacked end-to-end with court appearances, client meetings and document drafting, that’s not sound scheduling; it’s more like reckless gambling. Instead, leave some space in your day for the unexpected items that always seem to pop up. Leaving small blocks of time open allows you to address sudden situations, or to take a walk outside or breathe mindfully to clear your head.

2. Weekly Review

Take time every Friday to look ahead. Consider what is coming up that is high priority or what can be rescheduled, delegated or prepped now to save you time later. A weekly calendar review can be a highly effective tool to stay on top of things. While daily review of your calendar is important, so is looking ahead weekly to help you stay focused on the big picture. 

3. Color-Code with Purpose

Color-coding in digital calendars is an easy way to use categories that actually help: court appearances, client meetings, research, travel. Using colors to highlight categories or priorities (however it works best for you) can help you course-correct early and with less stress.

4. Protect Your Time

Your calendar isn’t just for recording court dates and client meetings. Blocking out uninterrupted time for research, strategizing or drafting is vital.  Putting time into your calendar for thinking, researching and drafting is a great way to ensure you have interrupted space to devote to what needs to get done. The trick is to guard this time slot as much as you would a court appearance or client meeting.   

5. Outsource and Delegate When Appropriate

Your time and energy are precious and limited resources which must be guarded. When your schedule fills up with court appearances and filing deadlines, consider using trusted help. Whether it’s a per diem attorney handling court appearances or a paralegal preparing filings, outsourcing and delegation allows you to work on other matters and, ultimately, make your practice more efficient and productive.

Overall, start small, stay consistent, and give yourself room to breathe.

Listening: The Underrated Communication Skill

In a profession grounded in analysis and persuasion, it is commonplace for attorneys to associate strong communication skills with speaking and writing well.  Often, however, the most important and impactful communication skill isn’t about what is said or written; rather, it is about what is heard.  Listening is a valuable and essential skill that, with focused practice, can be cultivated and perfected.

Whether it is understanding a client’s concerns, reading between the lines in a negotiation, or picking up on what isn’t said in a deposition, careful listening can be the key to strategy, clarity, and trust. It helps uncover the real issues, can avoid miscommunications, and fosters stronger relationships. Good listening isn’t passive. Being an active listener takes patience, concentration, and the willingness to want to truly understand someone else’s perspective.

Being a good listener helps build rapport, defuse tension, and reveal solutions that might otherwise be missed. So, rather than continuously thinking while someone is speaking, try focusing and really listening first.  You just might be surprised by what you hear, and learn. 

Five Stress Management Tips for Busy Attorneys (+ One Bonus Tip!)

Practicing law can be relentless. Between client demands, tight deadlines, and court appearances, many attorneys operate in a constant state of heightened stress. Over time, this pressure can build up and negatively impact productivity, decision-making, and overall well-being. Here are five practical stress management strategies to help keep burnout at bay:

1. Set Boundaries – and stick to them

It’s easy to let work infiltrate other aspects of your life, which can lead to fatigue and burnout. Protect your personal time like you would a court date: Set firm working hours and stick to them; turn off notifications after a certain time; and schedule time for self-care, such as for exercising, spending time with loved ones, or engaging in a hobby. 

2. Prioritize, prioritize, prioritize

Not all tasks are created equal. Identify what really needs your attention. Delegating tasks or postponing less critical work can free up valuable mental space.  Making a list of priorities each evening can be very helpful.

3. Take Micro-Breaks

Throughout the day, be mindful of your breathing and take frequent breaks. Even just two to three minutes per hour of deep breathing can go far in relaxing the body and mind.  Taking a five to 10 minute walk outside a couple of times during the workday or even standing up to stretch between calls can make a big difference in your focus and stress levels.

4. Lean on Technology

Automated calendaring, case management software, and secure communication tools can save hours of administrative work. If you're still doing things manually, even small tech upgrades can drastically reduce daily friction.

5. Stay Connected

Law can be isolating, especially in solo practice or if you work remotely. Regular check-ins with colleagues or mentors, even informal ones, can provide not only support but also fresh perspectives on tough cases or client dynamics. 

Bonus Tip: Don’t Go It Alone – Consider Using a Per Diem Attorney

Managing a packed conference and motion calendar can be overwhelming.  A highly effective solution is using a per diem attorney to handle court appearances. It’s a smart way to maintain coverage without spreading yourself too thin, especially on heavy calendar days or when you are on trial.  Think of it less as outsourcing, and more as strategic delegation.

Stress may be part of the legal profession, but burnout doesn’t have to be. By being proactive and thoughtful about how you manage your workload, you can stay sharp, effective, and even enjoy the practice of law a little bit more.