Tag: starting out

  • Tips to deal with coming back to work after a holiday.

    For me, a holiday is great and I love to cut work ties, relax and forget about clients and everything sitting on my desk. However, about two days before I know my break is coming to an end, I start to get that feeling! The slight dread and fear of what lies on my desk and in my email. Returning back after a long break can feel daunting, especially if you have a lot of work to catch up on. Having done it a few times, here are some things I’ve picked up.

    1. Schedule a buffer day.

    If you can, try to schedule a buffer day before you officially return to work. To me, this is a day where no meetings or calls are scheduled. It is a day which I can use to ease in, look through post, review colleagues notes on files and start to review emails. I can start to compile a to do list, schedule my diary and organise my desk. Trust me, if you can put in a buffer day, do it!

    2. Check in with your team.

    During the first day back, check in with those who were looking after your files and other members of your team. This will help you to get up to speed on what’s been happening while you were away and to identify any urgent tasks that need your attention.

    3. Prioritise your tasks.

    Once you know what needs to be done, it’s important to prioritise your tasks. This will help you to focus on the most important things and to avoid getting overwhelmed. It will also help you identify which clients need that urgent call back and which can wait a little bit longer.

    4. Set realistic expectations.

    It’s important to set realistic expectations for yourself when you’re trying to get caught up on work after a holiday. Don’t try to do everything at once, or you’ll just end up feeling stressed and overwhelmed as well as making mistakes which you wouldn’t ordinarily make.

    5. Take breaks.

    Don’t be tempted to try to do everything at once and neglect coffee breaks or lunch. Believe me this does not help you, you end up not being able to concentrate, loosing focus and just not feeling great!

    6. Ask for help.

    If you’re feeling overwhelmed, don’t be afraid to ask for help from your team members or your manager. Don’t be a martyr! Get help, you will get to return the favour when they go on leave.

    Also, some side notes;

    • Use a to-do list to keep track of your tasks.
    • Set deadlines for yourself and stick to them.
    • Break down large tasks into smaller, more manageable ones.
    • Take advantage of technology to help you stay organised.
    • Don’t be afraid to delegate tasks to others.

  • Tips on Staying Organised!

    As a solicitor, you will need to juggle a lot of different tasks and responsibilities. It can be very easy to feel overwhelmed and disorganised. However, there are a few simple things that I have discovered, often the hard way, that you can do to stay on top of things and avoid burnout.

    Here is what I found out, which I hope helps you:-

    1. Create a system for organising your work. This could involve using a physical filing system, a project management tool, or a combination of both. Find a system that works for you and stick to it.
    2. Set deadlines for yourself. This will help you stay on track and avoid procrastination.
    3. Delegate tasks when possible. Don’t be afraid to ask for help from your colleagues or paralegals.
    4. Take breaks throughout the day. Get up and move around, or step outside for some fresh air. This will help you stay focused and avoid fatigue.
    5. Take care of yourself. Make sure you are getting enough sleep, eating as healthy as you can and get some exercise regularly. This will help you stay mentally and physically healthy, which will make it easier to stay organised. Believe me, it sounds easy, but is more difficult than it seems! But it is worth a try and it has helped me a lot.

    Following these tips can help you stay organised and productive as a solicitor. By taking the time to develop a system for organising your work, setting deadlines, delegating tasks, taking breaks, and taking care of yourself, you can avoid burnout and achieve your goals.

    Here are some additional tips that may be helpful:

    • Use a calendar to track deadlines and appointments.
    • Create a to-do list and prioritise your tasks.
    • Use a system for filing documents and records.
    • Keep a notebook or journal to jot down ideas and notes.
    • Take advantage of technology. There are many software programs and apps that can help you stay organised.
    • Don’t be afraid to ask for help. If you are feeling overwhelmed, don’t hesitate to reach out to your colleagues, paralegals, or supervisor for assistance.

    The above is not full proof and there are days I struggle but the one thing that I have found to be vital is to keep a physical note of thoughts, cases, calls, things to do or comments made that are important. Despite your best intentions to remember things, your mind and thoughts are going to be pulled in hundreds of directions daily and you will never remember everything. Keep notes!