Tips to Help Increase Focus and Productivity for Your Law Practice

Tips to Help Increase Focus and Productivity for Your Law Practice

 Whether you’re working from home or in an office space it is easy to become distracted. With everything so accessible on our phones and computers; games, social media, etc., it’s impossible to stay focused, especially on something you’re not interested in doing. But sometimes, even on projects you want to work on, concentrating is difficult due to the pressing nature of other work. How can anyone finish a project when their inbox keeps filling up with other small tasks? 

You’ll find yourself stopping to answer that one question, or send that one report, and before you know it the day is half gone and you haven’t even started on your to-do list. That’s why we mulled over our own kryptonite, the things that keep us from our most productive selves and came up with several solutions that we hope can help us all.

Eliminate pointless distraction

Turn off your notifications for an hour, don’t check your email or social media. By shutting out the world for short spurts of your day you can give that project all of your attention. This may seem impossible but even doing 15 minutes of uninterrupted concentration could get you over a hump in a project or get you into a rhythm that could carry you through your to-do list for the rest of the day. 

Take breaks

I know this seems counter intuitive but by taking breaks you’re giving yourself a chance to recharge. So, instead of skipping your lunch break and powering through slowly, I suggest you stop and come back. Not only does this help you return with more energy but sometimes with a new perspective. Stepping away for 5 minutes can be the difference between throwing your computer and having a breakthrough. You also might be more likely to catch a typo in your work or think of a new idea by coming back with a fresh perspective.

Listen to music

Music helps our moods and our memory. By playing music you can feel more energized and capable of buckling down on a task. It also helps keep your stress level low, so for those projects that raise your blood pressure I would suggest some mellow tunes to stay balanced.

Although these concentration workouts might seem like time wasters, they’re actually helpful in maintaining focus:

• Draw or doodle for 15 minutes. 

• Spend a few minutes tossing a balloon or small ball with another person. 

• Set a timer for 3 to 5 minutes. Try to blink as little as possible. 

• Suck on a lollipop or hard candy until it’s gone — resist the urge to bite into it. Pay attention to the flavor, the sensation of the candy on your tongue, and how long it takes to eat it completely.

Keep tasks manageable

When you have a mountain to climb, staring at the peak from the ground can be intimidating and make the task feel impossible. When you’re afraid of a challenge you’ll find anything to help you procrastinate. But, by creating mile markers within a project you’ll stop looking at this giant project as impossible and focus on each individual step. This in turn will help you get started faster and stay motivated longer. 

Set a timer

Have you ever spent an entire day putting off the one important item on your to-do list? And the whole time there is the feeling of guilt weighing you down? Try making yourself work on it for a small, set time. That short sprint of work is the best way to handle any project you’ve been putting off. We can make ourselves do something if it’s only for a few minutes, then once you’ve started, you’ll find it easier to sit for another 10-minutes, 20-minutes, etc. 

Declutter your workspace 

We talked about the importance of your space in our blog “Create an Office Space that Serves You.” Keeping your space organized and personalized will keep you motivated and able to focus. Clutter creates opportunities for distraction but clearing out that mess can be a physical gesture that tells your brain it’s time to work.

Switch tasks once you’ve hit a wall, then try and come back to it

If you’re working on a large project and get stuck, sometimes it’s best to switch gears and start on something different. Switching tasks can help you avoid stagnation or sitting in one headspace for too long. It also helps with your attitude and any frustration you might be feeling. By accomplishing something smaller, and crossing it off your list, you’ll stay motivated to finish that larger project. 

Engage provides a quiet office space with everything our members need to sit down and concentrate. We provide snacks, caffeine, and office supplies- so once you get going you don’t have to stop. Our notary services and conference rooms help you cut commute times, giving you those extra minutes of productivity that we all need. 

Engage Workspace for Lawyers is an office space for lawyers built by lawyers. Unlike other coworking spaces, Engage charges a flat monthly rate for access to a full suite of resources and limits membership to a community of lawyers. If you are looking for law office space where you can focus on your practice and be surrounded by great colleagues, please contact us or book a tour.

© Elysium Consulting LLC dba Engage Workspace for Lawyers.  2018-2023.  Represented by intellectual property law firm, Klemchuk PLLC.