Go Out to Lunch or Not

This tip is provided by Diane Ebersole with the State Bar of Michigan's Practice Management Resource Center.

Jim Calloway and David Bilinsky, Practice management advisors from Oklahoma and British Columbia respectively, wrote these two tips over four years ago and they are still right on point. Which tip is right for you this week?

Go out to lunch...

For many solo lawyers, working through lunch and eating from a Styrofoam box on their desk may seem like an effective time management arrangement. But that is not always the case. Try to arrange several days per month of scheduled lunches with other lawyers, with referral sources, with other professionals (like accountants), with past clients or potential clients. People have very busy schedules and yet most everyone takes time for lunch. It will usually be refreshing and might even be fun. While it is very possible that you may generate referrals or legal work from some of these lunches, do not behave as if that is that point. Be yourself and even if it turns out your lunch companion is not the most witty or charming person in the world, enjoy the break from the daily routine.

Don't go out for lunch...

Feeling sluggish? Out of shape? Diminished energy? Attitude suffering? Don't laden yourself down with yet another high-calorie lunch. Lace on the running shoes - and go out for a run or a walk.

Enjoy the sunshine and the relief that a change of circumstances, fresh air and the sense of accomplishment of getting back into shape can bring. Better yet - find a group of people who are outside of your usual group of suspects to run or walk together. This way you can pep up the brain cells with extra oxygen and enjoy a change of perspective and a change of circumstances...all at once. It may be very possible to generate referrals and work from some of these runs or walks. You will enjoy the break from your routine, arrive back at the office feeling reinvigorated and have had a chance to talk out problems with a sympathetic ear - thereby improving your attitude and possibly bringing back a fresh perspective to the tasks at hand.