It’s critical to be consistent during your workday. Stable routines help improve productivity, balance mental health, and lead to better physical health, too. But what about consistency outside of work? Can stable, enjoyable habits help improve your efficiency in the office?
Absolutely. Below, we’ll dive into five simple habits that, when done consistently, can help you work better, focus better, and strategize for clients at maximum efficiency.
Get into a sleeping and waking schedule that’s consistent and allows you to get at least seven hours of rest per night. One of the worst things you can do for your physical and mental health is to struggle with sleep deprivation or wake and sleep at inconsistent times.
When you have the support to leave the office on time, your sleep schedule can become healthier, naturally. No more staying in the office until 10 pm. That’s the value an ILA brings. The freedom to work reasonable hours, sleep well, and tackle representation in the office, not at the kitchen table as your kids run around and the toast burns.
When you have the right support systems in place, you’re free to actually relax in the evening, not open the laptop and keep working. The emails, drafts, case updates, and scheduling are already done. Now, you can wind down.
So spend some time listening to music, woodworking, hanging out with your dog, watching reruns of Murder She Wrote (that’s my Zen right there), or painting. Whatever brings you joy and helps you relax, dive into that. Your mental health, focus, and momentum will all benefit, too.
Your kids aren’t getting any younger. Neither are your spouse, your friends, your siblings, or your aging relatives. So why not spend your weekends actually making memories instead of staring at spreadsheets until your eyes burn?
When you’re saving up to 40 hours per week with an ILA, you’re free to take weekends off, consistently. Head to the lake cabin, the beach house, or the funky wee hunting lodge you bought up in Maine. Head to a concert. Have your kids ever seen Metallica live? They’ll love it; take them.
In other words, see what’s happening this Saturday, then get out there and actually enjoy yourselves. Every weekend. Consistently.
Don’t worry, I’m not proselytizing here. Meditation can cover forms of prayer, calming your thoughts, focusing on a single word (like “peace”), or even just quietly spending time in nature. Do something that feels right, is consistent, brings a sense of calm, and helps you relax.
Your actual cosmological views can be as varied as “Modern Orthodox Jew” to “Atheist” to “Pantheism-Curious”. Just take the time out every day to quiet down, let go of distractions, reflect, and center yourself. Guided walking meditations work great, too.
Because when you’re less bogged down by busywork, you finally have the bandwidth to spend a half hour each day (or each weekend) doing something meaningful, restorative, and reflective. And with all the struggle and conflict you interact with and process each week, you genuinely need and deserve that break, as well.
This is one that took me a while to get into. But keep a journal. It could be anything from a daily log of events to a weekly log of your feelings to a scrapbook of interesting articles, images, or quotes you’ve come across. Putting all of this on paper consistently can be genuinely relaxing, give you a better sense of your own emotional needs, help you untangle complex inner problems, and allow you to create something uniquely your own.
It’s also far safer than venting on social media. Because the entire internet does not need to know exactly how you feel about every controversial, upsetting, or emotionally-charged topic imaginable. Far less how you feel about that one local judge you can’t stand.
In fact, lawyers have faced suspensions and disbarment over unprofessional social media posts. But a physical journal is an excellent place to vent, quietly and securely. Your thoughts are your own, and they stay safe from online mobs, opposing counsel, and your state’s Supreme Court, as well.
Staying consistent off the clock can work wonders for your mental health, stability, enjoyment of law, and overall productivity. But you need the support systems in place to make that happen, give you back your evenings and weekends, and ensure you can delegate seamlessly and efficiently.
That’s why ILAs exist. To help you tackle anywhere from 10 to 40 hours of administrative tasks, get you back to a 40-hour work week, and allow you to truly enjoy and benefit from your downtime, consistently.
For attorney-level support within a few weeks? Reach out to Parke Parker for a no-pressure Discovery Call today.
Grace Singh is a writer and editor for DocketWorks. She enjoys bridging services and client needs in ways that are meaningful, memorable, and human-focused, even as technology continues to change. When she’s not at her home office, she enjoys nature walks, reading, and brewing coffee.