Can You Commit To These Five New Year Resolutions?
When December 2016 approaches, will you plead guilty to accomplishing your choice of New Year resolutions? The New Year brings along the urge to make resolutions that are generally broken by the end of January. However, one case that a courtroom full of people can attest to is that attorneys lead busy lives. If you are an attorney who wants to accomplish resolutions that aren’t destined to be broken, they should be smart, measurable, achievable, results focused, and time bound. Impact Nurse Consulting has done the legwork for you with five New Year resolutions below that take your lifestyle into consideration.
1. Win in Fitness (and in court)
Good health means nutrition, sleep, exercise, low stress, and a handful of other aspects. Imagine you have to be in the courtroom at 9 a.m. on Monday morning. In one scenario, you roll out of bed at 7 a.m., get dressed, stop at the local donut shop, and drag into court. In the other scenario, you wake up at 5 a.m. for a 2-mile run and a few weighted reps. Once you return home, you find there is still plenty of time to get ready. You go about your daily routine, leave home, grab a more nutrient rich breakfast option, and arrive at court. The fit scenario leaves you with a clearer mind, energy, and a can-do attitude.
2. Manage Caseloads More Efficiently
Many people snicker at the word “balance.” It’s over used, and at times it feels like balance is non-existent. Balance is universal, but you do need to find it to manage your caseloads more efficiently. This means hiring an assistant, decreasing the number of cases you manage, implementing more technology, or getting more organized. If you aren’t able to spend the proper amount of time to prepare a case, you have too many on your plate.
3. Attend One Networking Event/Conference a Month
If you’re an introvert you may be rolling your eyes right now. However, networking includes both virtual and in person. It’s unlikely that you have enough free time to visit every contact in person, so mix up your methods. Yes, pushing the connect button on LinkedIn is much easier, but in person networking is beneficial for several reasons. There are several group, associations, and conferences just for attorneys. A comprehensive list of associations can be found here. These groups host several events every month for both members and non-members.
4. Hire a Consultant
A consultant provides expert advice. If you don’t specialize in medical cases, why not save yourself the time of becoming an expert overnight? Our blog, Why Every Attorney Needs a LNC, shows the difference a consultant makes. Your decision to hire a consultant can make or break your case. They act as several other tasks. This is an affordable alternative to hiring someone in house and paying a yearly salary.
5. Increase the Number of Clients
Of course, this resolution is once you’ve mastered managing caseloads. Growth is a measure of success. If your clientele continues to grow then you can assume your marketing efforts work. The service you provide to your current clients will influence their decision to refer others. Also, a mixture of social media campaigns, directory listings, community outreach, events, and referral incentives will help you accomplish this resolution.
So, can you commit to all five resolutions? If so, how do you plan to accomplish them?
o Do Not Substitute- Read as Written
Nicole Thomas, MSN, RN, CCM, LNC