Too often, attorneys work on the wrong tasks day in and day out. Particularly law firm owners. With so many important issues competing for our attention, the tendency is to be in the trenches, working on the low value items while neglecting the high value opportunities.

If you suspect you might be falling into this trap, here’s a simple exercise you can try:

For the next ten business days, keep an accurate time log. From the time you step into your office each morning, write down everything you do all workday long. After ten days, go through your log and categorize each activity according to this system:

• U:        Unique Ability
• C:        Competent
• I:          Not Competent, But Doing

Unique ability is something you’re great at and enjoy doing. It’s one of those things you get engrossed in, and time seems to fly by without you realizing it. The other categories are self-explanatory.

If your time log is filled with activities in the “C” and “I” categories, you are not alone. However, it’s probably time to take a fresh look at how you’re doing things.

Why not structure your law firm so that you can focus on your unique abilities, and hire people whose unique abilities complement yours? Chances are, some of your employees have valuable strengths and talents you are not even aware of.

This approach sets you up so that you can delegate your “C” and “I” tasks to people in your firm who are much better suited to performing those functions. Ultimately, you and everyone on your staff will have the potential for much greater job satisfaction, and your firm will get the chance to thrive in a whole new way.

Sanford M. Fisch
CEO & Co-Founder
American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys, Inc.
9444 Balboa Avenue, Suite 300
San Diego, California 92123
Phone: (800) 846-1555
www.aaepa.com