It’s that time of year again. The long days of summer are winding down and cooler nights will soon arrive. If you are anything like me, you may be trying to fit in last beach days, family trips, and other time away from the office.
As much as I love the summer months, by this time each year I tend to start counting down to the return to school, or perhaps more to the point, a return to routine. The weekly schedules are set, I know who needs to be where and when, and I gear up for the scramble of making it all work – from sports practices and dance classes to professional commitments and community events. It is as if the floodgates suddenly open in September, and we are off to the races.
I was talking with my daughter about her upcoming junior year. It’s a big year for her academically with a challenging schedule, and she is nervous about finding time for her activities, friends, and her job at a local restaurant. We talked a lot about how she might strike the right balance, what she may want to prioritize, and what she simply may not be able to take on this year – whether it be a particular club or hours at work. Turns out, it was a great exercise for me, as well.
There is no question that we, as lawyers, are called upon to engage our time in a variety of ways, through our family obligations, work obligations, professional events, community involvement, volunteer work – the list goes on. But it is a rare person who can do it all, or at least do it all well and in a meaningful way. Just like kids adjusting to the new school year with new obligations and expectations, fall offers us a great opportunity to evaluate our professional commitments, reflect upon our professional goals, and consider how best to invest our time in light of all of our obligations and commitments.
I started my assessment by revisiting how I run my day. One of the things I am determined to work on this fall is implementing a time-blocking system that emphasizes the day’s priorities. In reality, of course, issues are going to come up, urgent emails will need a response, and incoming calls will need to be answered. But for me, I’m more productive if I am not jumping from task to task, email to email, etc. I try to spend time each morning, even if it is just five minutes, prioritizing tasks for the day and what I think I will need to finish those tasks. It’s a small step that is likely obvious to many, but the sense of accomplishment I get at the end of the days I am able to meet those preset goals is well worth the five minutes.
While we may not have complete control over our day, we do have some semblance of control over the “extracurriculars” we take on. As many committees, boards, and other activities ramp up in the fall, it is a great time to consider the role you play, whether you can step up, or whether your ability to meaningfully participate simply is not available and you need to take a step back – at least for now. Many of us have a newfound understanding of wellness and know the risks of overextending ourselves. It’s better to acknowledge your time limitations than fall silent – or worse, absent – in a group that is counting on you. But, if you find yourself with the time and desire to take on a new commitment, know there are so many ways to engage – and the Bar is here to help figure out what is right for you.1
I hope this summer has been a time of renewal for each of you. As fall approaches, let’s all take some time to reflect, refocus, and rejuvenate our commitments to our profession and to each other.
New Hampshire Bar News, August Issue | President’s Perspective
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