Strategies for Getting Organized

A majority of employers will switch to hybrid work schedules this year. The pivot to hybrid requires rethinking work habits to avoid stress, be productive, and benefit from time in the office. Below are tips and resources for making hybrid work better Adjust - allow time for moving between meetings and networking with co-workers; try new ways of getting work done. Attitude - keep a positive attitude and focus on good things that can happen in the workplace.   Budget - allow additional time in your schedule for commuting to work, packing lunches, and unexpected problems. Breaks - take occasional breaks to get up from your desk and practice mindfulness. Chores  - calendar household chores  for days when you don't need to be in the office.  Collaborate  - make appointments for face-to-face meetings to facilitate collaboration; allow time for break periods between meetings Exercise - walk around the office and schedule walking meetings with co-workers. S...

Despite continuing Covid-19 cases, travel retains its allure to relax, recharge, and reconnect. Although the Covid-19 situation has improved, health, safety, and travel issues can cause problems. Below are tips and resources to reduce risks while traveling.   Tips Assessment . Consider destinations with lowest risk of travel disruptions. Backup . Be prepared to adjust travel plans due to health issues, quarantines, and travel disruptions. Make backup reservations and purchase travel insurance. Allow extra time and money in your budget for travel problems. Cruising . Delay cruises if you have underlying health conditions like cancer, cardiac issues, or pulmonary disease. Destination . Use domestic travel by car to avoid air traffic delays and congestion. Visit less popular National Parks to stay away from crowds and reduce health risk. Hygiene . Avoid destinations with outbreaks and focus on outdoor activities. Stay safer by getting boosters, keeping social distance, using sanitize...

Travel planning can optimize experiences, reduce costs, and save time. Below are some tips and resources to help plan your next trip. Advisor  - Consider using a travel agent or tour company, especially when traveling to unfamiliar places. The added cost is modest compared to the benefit of expert advice. Budget  - Set aside funds to cover airfare, entertainment, lodging, and meals. Use travel books for ideas that cut expenses. Check the American Bar Association and local bar associations for travel discount programs. Calendar  - Put travel dates on your calendar to avoid conflicts and start the planning process. Make clients and staff aware of your travel dates so they can adjust their expectations. Checklists  - Use checklists to help pack, plan, and prioritize. Consider creating a bucket list of destinations to visit during your lifetime. Prepare a daily itinerary of places to go and things to do. Communications  - Use email, phone, and texting to stay in tou...

Self-employment is best for individuals with an entrepreneurial spirit and good organizational skills. Organizational skills help with goal setting, networking, and time management. They apply whether working as a consultant, contractor, freelancer, or professional. Below are tips staying organized when self-employed. Beneath the tips are articles, books and resources for implementing them. Tips 1. Follow a schedule of daily activities 2. Create Boundaries between work and play 3. Stay digitally organized 4. Track progress of projects 5. Calendar appointments, deadlines, and tasks 6. Set aside time for accounting, billing, budgeting, and marketing Articles Becoming Independent Best Jobs for Working Alone Finding Work Getting Organized Working for Yourself Working from Home Books Organizing Your Business and Life Running a Home-Based Business The Organized Lawyer Starting a Business Websites Entrepreneur Magazine Job Websites Solo Gig Solo Law Firms

Digital maintenance is essential for problem-free computing and cybersecurity. Below is a list of tasks and articles to help implement them. Review the checklist monthly to avoid computer problems and assure cyber safety.  Checklist Create a password management system Adjust accessibility features Authorize account access to trusted individuals in case of death or disability Check adequacy of storage Contain cost of cable, Internet, and phone Checklist Keep contacts up-to-date Organize streaming services Scan for malware and adware Set up computers for remote access Turn on 2-factor authentication Turn on privacy settings Update all software Use automatic backups Articles Checklist for Cybersecurity Cloud Computing Computer Maintenance Digital Maintenance Monthly Maintenance Tech Tips Books Cybersecurity for the Home and Office Lawyer's Guide to Automation Troubleshooting and Maintaining Your PC Checklists Computer Maintenance  Network Maintenance U...

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 tips for keeping healthy eyes. Get more tips by reading articles about aging and your eyes ,  maintaining good eyesight ,  promoting eye health with nutrition  and workplace eye safety .  Find more articles at websites maintained by the American Academy of Opthamologists , the  National Institutes of Health , and  WebMD . Avoid Eye Fatigue Several times per hour look away from computer screens for a minute to prevent eye strain. Make Healthy Choices Make  smart food choices , be  physically active , maintain a  healthy weight , and stop smoking .  Get Annual Checkups   Get annual eye exams by an optometrist or ophthalmologist . Monitor Underlying Conditions Maintain normal  blood pressure  and  Diabetes - manage  diabetes  (if you have it). Wear Sunglasses Protect your eyes from sunlight by wearing sunglasses that block ultraviolet (UV) radiation and a hat with a wide brim when you are ou...

Covid is expected to continue to have surges and plateaus. Below are tips to prepare for future surges and resources for implementing them.  Preparing for Covid Surges Boost Ask your doctor about how frequently to take a booster vaccine to prevent Covid Be Safe Implement protective measures like avoiding groups, limiting travel, practicing hand hygiene, and wearing masks. Take extra precautions if you live or care for someone who is elderly, sick, or immunocompromised.  Buy Supplies Prepare for surges by stocking your home and office with masks, at-home test kits, tissues, and cleaning supplies. Purchase  decongestants, ibuprofen and other remedies to treat Covid symptoms. Keep Current Read daily news reports to stay current on COVID counts and be alert to surges  Get Tested Gest tested immediately if you have symptoms. Treatment must be started within days after sysmptoms first develop.   Seek Treatment Talk to your doctor right away if you test positive t...

Apple added continuity to its devices in 2014.  Contuinuity works with iPhones, iPads, iPods, Macs, and Watches.  It enables users to switch between devices by using the same Apple ID on all of them.  See below for a list of features that can be handed off between Apple's Mac, iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, and Apple Watch. And learn more by reading articles about continuity at Apple's Support Website . AirDrop  - send documents, photos, videos, etc. to a nearby iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, or Mac. AirPlay  - share content from another Apple device to the screen of your Mac. Apple Pay - shop online on one device and complete purchase on another device.   Auto Unlock  - get access to Mac from Apple Watch Camera  - use iPhone, iPad, or iPod to scan documents or take a picture for a Mac. Calling  - make and receive calls from your Mac, iPad, or iPod touch by connecting them to iPhone. Clipboard - c opy content from one device and then paste o...

Time management increases productivity, relieves stress, and prevents procrastination. Make time management part of your daily life by delegating, planning, and prioritizing.  Consider using the apps listed below to help get things done. Learn tips and techniques by reading the articles and books listed below.   Apps Calendaring Collaboration Note-Taking Managing Projects Improving Productivity To Do Lists Timekeeping Articles Balancing Work and Life at School  Managing Time in the Workplace Improving Time Management Skills Overcoming Procrastination  Skills Need for Time Management  Time Management Tips for Lawyers Books Checklist Manifesto Habits of Highly Effective People How to Stop Procrastinating Getting Things Done