End of the Year Overwhelm

Lawyers Who Launch

This week we are sharing something that we have been thinking about recently - the end of the year and all of that obligations that come up at this time of year. As we approach the end of the year, the calendar seems to be getting shorter but our to do lists are getting longer and longer - professionally and personally. For some practice areas, the end of the year can be the busiest season, there are items that must be filed or completed before December 31st.

But even if your practice area doesn’t have end of the year deadlines, the month of December is busy. Between work, holidays, kids school schedules, holiday parties, and all of the work that is needed to make it all happen, it’s a hectic time. This week we are going to share the ways we try to keep the end of the year overwhelm under control with four strategies we use to keep the overwhelm at bay.

1. Do something (even if it is small).

The first step to combating that overwhelm that can hurt your productivity and keep you from getting through that to do list is to simply do one thing. A small task is the perfect way to get started. It is just like those snowballs that our kids cannot wait to craft this winter - start small. That one small step will more easily lead you to the next step and the next. Before you know it you have a huge snowball of tasks completed and it all started with one little task.

2. Schedule your tasks.

Take your to do list and your calendar together and look at them both. Find a task that is time sensitive or time consuming and intentionally set a time to do it on your calendar. You can allow yourself a buffer for those time sensitive tasks, while also carving out a specific time that is most convenient for you. Setting an alarm on your phone is also a great way to remind yourself that it is time to work on that scheduled task.

3. Keep a running list.

The next strategy is to keep a running list for things that you realize you need or want to do while you are in the middle of doing something else. We both find this strategy particularly effective. As multitaskers, we constantly have random things popping into our minds. Have a place for those thoughts. It will allow you to keep focus on the task you are currently engaged with. It will also ensure that you do not forget about the new idea and will allow you to easily transition later once you have finished what you are presently working on.

4. Master a master list.

The final strategy is to create master lists. These are simply lists to make things you have done before easier next time. These are particularly useful for things that you will do again, but there may be a time interval so you do not necessarily have everything memorized. These types of list are so valuable because you are getting the benefit of your hard work over and over again because you have already done it and memorialized it.

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Nothing contained within this podcast is intended or should be construed to be legal advice and does not create any attorney client relationship. Your jurisdiction will have rules of professional conduct that you must follow. This discussion does not focus on the any such rules, including the rules from the jurisdiction where we practice.