About 70 years ago, a small firm practitioner named Morris Perkin collaborated with a local printer to mass produce a diary called Lawyer’s Day. Now known as Day-Timers, the diaries enable lawyers to take notes and record time. Over the years, Day-Timers added versions for accountants, business executives, and doctors. The product has millions of devoted customers who use diaries for planning.
Planning can achieve goals and reduce stress. Start planning with a year-end assessment and then create goals like improving relationships, managing caseloads, and work/life balancing. Put your goals into action with planning tools like apps, audits, budgets, checklists, and diaries. Work on one goal at a time to avoid overwhelming yourself. Below are planning tips and resources to help implement them.
Tips
Budgets – prepare annual budgets and monitor them monthly.
Calendars – try calendaring apps to record appointments, notes, and deadlines.
Checkups – use checklists and to-do lists to create action plans for cases and clients.
Plans – create plans and periodically review them to identify areas for improvement.
Technologies – use apps and software to perform routine tasks so you can focus on billable work.
