Strategies for Getting Organized

Career planning prevents problems and achieves professional success. Career plans can cover advancement, assignments, goals, specialization, strategies, and training.  Annually review your plan to update for developments. Use the plan to select careers, change jobs, improve skills, and negotiate with employers. Below are links to career planning resources, including articles, books, forms, and websites. Articles Becoming Professionally Successful Career Planning Changing Jobs Legal Career Paths Using the ABA to Advance Your Career Writing a Career Plan Books Career Development for Lawyers Career Planning Guide to Legal Specialties Occupational Outlook Handbook What Color is Your Parachute Samples ABA Bodine Nova Scotia Simplica Videos Career Paths (TED) Taking Charge of Your Career (ABA) Websites ABA BLS NALP US News

Below are strategies for disconnecting from work to avoid burnout and stay social. Disconnecting from work on a daily basis is more effective than waiting for the weekend or taking an occasional vacation. Disconnecting is difficult and requires commitment to tactics to overcome fear of missing out. For more tips, read articles about the importance of disconnecting ,  how to do it , enjoying  life ,  healthy tech habits ,  managing stress ,  preventing burnout , and tips for disconnecting .  Disconnect Strategies Boundary - create physical boundaries between work space if you work from home Games - take up a game like checkers, chess, or canasta for mental stimulation Lunch - take time for daily lunch and try to schedule with colleagues and walks Relax - take a daily walk after work to mentally disconnect and enjoy nature Schedule - set a daily start and end time for work and adopt rituals to enforce like exercise Unplug - Set a quitting time and turn off yo...

Below are tips on how to become a calmer person. Learn more by reading articles about easing anxiety ,  releasing stress  and seeking serenity . For deeper study, read books about managing stress  and positive thinking . Tips for Staying Calmer Browsing - don’t Google for comments by extremists on the right or left  Debating - change topics when others try to discuss politics or controversies  Disengage - reduce time spent reading and viewing political and news content   Extracurricular  - Pursue hobbies and attend concerts, seminars, and sporting events Meetup - stay connected with family and friends Reading - avoid reading sources of anger-producing material Socialize - participate in group activities

Lying can occur in a variety of settings including business, family, legal, medical, political, and social. Lies range from white lies to bald faced untruths. Lies can be told by anyone including celebrities, clients, coworkers, family, friends, politicians, and sellers. Liars can cloud judgment, cause problems, and damage relationships. Remember that you cannot change a deceptive person. Maintain an attitude of healthy skepticism and independently verify truthfulness. Below are warning signs that someone is lying and a list of articles and books to help deal with them.   Warning Signs That Someone is Lying Answering - repeats questions before answering them Body Language - plays with hair, gestures with hands, puts fingers on face Eyes - looks away at a crucial moment Eyes - excessive blinking Response - vague response with few details Perspiration - facial sweating Volume - sudden increase in volume Articles Avoiding Scams Body Language   Dealing With a Liar Handling a ...

Music can boost spirits and increase productivity. Get inspired by watching the  Whistle While You Work  scene from Snow White and reading a  historical perspective  published by the American Public Health Association. See below for listening tips and guides to listening while you work.  Tips Devices - use an Amazon Echo, Apple Home Pod, or Google Nest for hands-free control Fixed Tempo - select music with a fixed tempo and constant volume  Headset - use earbuds or headphones so you don't bother neighbors Lyrics - listen to background music without lyrics to avoid distraction Major Key - Use music in major keys since minor keys are depressing Nature - Consider streaming sound of birds or the ocean waves Tasks - play music when doing repetitive tasks to ease monotony  Apps Apple Music Amazon Music TuneIn YouTube Music Spotify Articles Choosing Music   Listening Tips Smart Speakers Streaming Services Using Music to Improve Focus Books How Music Ca...

When starting a new job, prepare a checklist of things to do the day before work starts. Remember to include items like dressing for success, getting sufficient sleep, setting an alarms, and bringing a drivers license (or passport) and social security card. Take time to review LinkedIn pages of employees to familiarize yourself with co-workers. Be prepared to answer questions from co-workers like personal interests and why you took the job. For more tips, read articles about starting a new job , introducing yourself,   joining a new firm , and  achieving success in the first 90 days . Also see books like the  Guide to Law Careers , the Legal Career Guide  and Guide to Long Careers .

Companies use a strategy known as Kaizen to make better products and increase market share. Individuals can adopt Kaizen to improve life skills and build careers. Ask an experienced professional to be your mentor or pay a career coach to help you improve. Learn more tips by reading articles about  life coaches , professional development , self-coaching , and training programs . Ask a senior member of your organization to be your mentor or use a Directory of Life Coaches to hire a coach.

Desk jobs can be hazardous to the health of office workers. Stay healthy by getting up every hour for a walk. Exercise daily for at least 30 minutes by aerobics bicycling, jogging, walking. Make exercise at your desk part of your daily rituals like squeezes, stretches, and physical activities, Learn more by reading about  deskercise , fitness apps ,  health tips , and  staying healthy . Workout with videos for aerobics and strengthening  and indoor walking .

Planning can advance the careers of professional service providers like lawyers and accountants. The best plans set specific targets and measure progress towards achieving them.  Set aside sufficient time every year to insure that your plans succeed. Click here for a year-by-year plan for marketing legal services that was prepared by Larry Bodine, a marketing expert. Bodine's plan provide timetables for using tactics like networking, publishing, and public speaking.

Working from home is becoming more common for many reasons, including improving technology, deteriorating commutes, and lengthening workdays. Be more effective while working from home by controlling interruptions, creating daily priority lists, using time schedules, and setting aside a separate space for work.  Click here for an article with additional tips for working more effeciently at home. .

Makeovers can help you and your firm improve your image and modernize your practice. Click here for an article with quick and easy steps  to improve your firm and your image.

Happy clients pay bills timely, bring new cases, and refer prospects. See below for tips on keeping clients happy. Learn more by reading books about customer relationships  and customer service . TIPS FOR  1. Call clients regularly 2. Reply promptly to emails and voicemails 3. Alert clients to planning opportunities 4. Consider offering fixed fees (instead of hourly rates) 5. Send a monthly e-mail or newsletter with news and planning tips 6. Use client satisfaction surveys to identify areas for improvement 7. Set and maintain expectations for timing and results 8. Show appreciation and concern 9. Provide staff with training on customer satisfaction 10. Get to know your clients and keep notes in their profile

Companies like Nestle and Toyota have used an improvement strategy known as Kaizen to make better products and increase market share. Focus on improvement can also help individuals boost their careers and well-being. Click here for an article with strategies and tactics for self improvement.