Break Free from the To-Do List Trap: Redefining Productivity for Lawyers
One common way you might be setting yourself up for stress and guilt? Expecting to finish every single item on your to-do list each day.
In the legal world, the messages around productivity and success can be intense. We start to believe that we need to finish everything on our list to be effective, organized, and successful (and we always put more on our list than we could possibly finish).
So, every day, you start with the best intentions. You carefully list out your tasks, prioritize, and set deadlines. Maybe you even block off time on your calendar.
Yet, no matter how hard you try, you rarely—if ever—reach the end of that list.
You’re left thinking:
▫️“Why can’t I ever get enough done”
▫️“I have GOT to be better organized.”
▫️“Maybe if I just pushed a little harder…”
▫️“I’m so lazy.”
This pattern leaves you feeling guilty and overwhelmed, as if you’re always falling short. And when that guilt builds, it’s harder to find the energy and focus for tomorrow’s list.
Here’s what might be going wrong: the productivity myths tell us that finishing everything means we’re doing well. But in reality, trying to clear a constantly growing list sets us up for burnout. There’s always more work to be done. (And that’s actually good news!)
Here’s the shift:
Imagine treating your to-do list like a living, flexible plan rather than a strict taskmaster. What if success wasn’t about finishing but about making intentional choices with your time and energy?
Here’s how you can start:
1️⃣Identify Top Priorities: Choose 1-3 items to focus on each day, the ones that truly move the needle. (If you can do more, great. If not, then step 2).
2️⃣Redefine Success: At the end of the day, reflect on what you completed with satisfaction instead of guilt over what’s left. Focus on what you accomplished, not what you didn’t.
3️⃣Create a Plan for Tomorrow: Adjust and reprioritize for tomorrow, accepting that some items will carry over.
When we work together, we’ll focus on helping you prioritize what really matters on your list and learning how to take control of your time in a sustainable way. Imagine feeling empowered by what you got done instead of exhausted by your list. Just sign up for a call with me at jenndealcoaching.as.me/consult to hear more. You can also pick up a free copy of my 10 Ways to Be and Feel Less Busy that I created for lawyers just like you: https://mailchi.mp/jenndealcoaching/10ways.
It’s time to let go of the stress and guilt and embrace a new approach.
