'Tis the season to review

You may think the topic is the holidays, but actually, going in a different direction here. It's all about a review, so to say.

The end of the year is quickly approaching. The overarching theme of conversation at the many professional holiday gatherings seems to circle around goals and accomplishments. How was your 2017? How is business? What are you working on? Upon further review, did you get where you wanted to go, in essence.

For so many business, especially solo and small law firms, the focus is more of a short-term review. Ensuring clients have the information they need, the appropriate documents are in the appropriate place at the appropriate time, etc. More of a functional review, less strategic. According to a recent survey, a full 33% of an attorney’s non-billable time is spent on business development. That result summarizes all attorneys who responded, not solely solo and small firms, which is likely even higher. Given that time investment, it can be tricky to think about those overarching annual goals let alone their review.

In actuality, it doesn’t take too long to put together an annual plan. There are so many sites out there that literally walk you through the process, step by step. We like this great summary from Attorney At Work. The key to this entire project is to start low and slow. Pick one big item. Maybe it’s becoming more productive, growing your overall business, or even having greater work and life balance. Pick one. Just one. And put together your plan. Make sure to think broad at the start, and from there breakdown the individual objectives and tactics. Review your plan monthly. Plan a coffee meeting with your plan. Send yourself reminders through your devices. Set up an actual calendar appointment to make sure you review. Do what you have to to do, but review it. And adjust. Because plans change.

As a result, at next year’s round of parties, you will be prepared to review how you tackled and achieved a goal for your firm. And maybe inspire others, too. 

We wish you all a wonderful, joyful, peaceful and productive holiday season and look forward to kicking off 2018 with you.