Dear Lawyer,

Here’s how productivity goes for most people:

You start strong, fueled by the fact that it's a new year, and things are going great. Then it happens: one bad thing throws you off track. You miss one task—like following up with a potential client, reviewing a critical case file, or sending out that invoice—and suddenly, the tasks start piling up. One becomes three: now you’re behind on emails, missed a filing deadline, and didn't fully prep for a client meeting. Three becomes ten: your to-do list feels out of control, and you’re spending more time scrambling than being productive.

You’re mentally beating yourself up, promising yourself you’ll do better in July. But by the fall, the same cycle starts all over.

Let’s be real—staying motivated all year is hard. You get some bad news—a client fires you, an important employee quits, or you’re just overwhelmed—and suddenly, productivity feels impossible.

And so we’re clear: productivity is not about being 100% on, all the time, no matter what. It’s not about working around the clock or never making mistakes. Productivity is about consistency—showing up more often than not, prioritizing what truly matters, and giving yourself grace when things don’t go perfectly.

It’s about having a system that keeps you moving forward, even when life gets messy. Because let’s face it: there will always be setbacks, distractions, and bad days. The key is learning how to reset and refocus, not striving for unattainable perfection.

Here’s my 2025 Productivity Checklist to help you stay on track, even when life throws curveballs.

Your 2025 Productivity Checklist

1️⃣ Reset Quickly After a Setback

• Missed one task? Shake it off and refocus on the next one.
• Ask yourself: “What’s the smallest thing I can do right now to get back on track?”

2️⃣ Simplify Your Priorities

• Focus on the one most important thing each day.
• Use this mantra: Done is better than perfect.

3️⃣ Have Theme Days

• Marketing Mondays or Finance Fridays, use it to help you stay on track.

4️⃣ Celebrate Small Wins

• Finished one task? Acknowledge it. Momentum builds motivation.
• Track your wins weekly—and use the planner to help you.

5️⃣ Plan for the Unexpected

• Build a buffer: leave space in your schedule for emergencies.
• Use the phrase “life happens” to shift your mindset when plans go sideways.

6️⃣ Review & Reflect Weekly

• What worked this week?
• What didn’t?
• Take the time to plan for the next week.

7️⃣ Use Tools That Work for You

• Whether it’s a planner, or an app —pick what keeps you consistent.
• (Psst...my 2025 Planner has all of this built-in so you can stay on track 😉.)

💡 Here’s the Truth:​
You don’t need to stay motivated all the time. You just need a system that keeps you moving forward, one small step at a time.

🎧 Listen to This Week’s Episode:​
On the podcast, I break down exactly how to apply this checklist to your daily routine—and what to do when things go wrong.

Cheering you on,

This week, I held a live Zoom session on "How to Use the 2025 Lawyers Annual Planner" and it was so great seeing some of you live on the call.

If you haven't gotten a copy of your planner yet or joined the Wildly Successful Lawyers Club yet, links are below.

Even if you don't buy the planner, just know, you're not in it alone. Reach out to me anytime you're stuck (really!)

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