Self Management

Every decision you make, every action you take either moves you closer to the life and law practice you want or pulls you further away.

The problem?

Most lawyers don’t realize just how much of our daily behavior works against us.

That’s where self-management comes in.

In this week's Be a Better Lawyer, we’re talking about:

? How to use your inner guidance system to stay on track

? One skill you must develop for self-management

? A powerful tool to align your daily actions with your long-term goals

If you've ever felt overwhelmed by distractions, stuck in bad habits, or unsure how to move forward, keep reading to take back control.

What Self-Management Really Means

Self-management is noticing when your behavior isn’t aligned with what you want and redirecting yourself as needed.

Sounds simple, right?

Then why do so many lawyers struggle with it?

It's because most people are disconnected from themselves.

They're caught up in their daily to-do lists, drowning in distractions, and reacting to whatever feels urgent instead of intentionally choosing what actually moves them towards the life they want.

When you don’t consciously manage yourself, you'll spend time on things that don’t matter—scrolling social media, procrastinating, overcommitting, or worrying about things outside of our control.

The good news?

Self-management is a skill you can develop, and once you do, everything in your life and practice changes.

Following Your Inner Guidance System

Each of us is blessed with an inner guidance system — an instinct that tells us when something is (or isn’t) right for us.

The problem is, we often ignore it.

Think about a time when you stayed in a bad relationship, even though something deep down told you to get out. Or when you kept taking on clients you knew would be a headache because you were afraid another client wouldn't walk through the door (although logically you know this isn't true).

Ignoring your inner guidance system leads to frustration, burnout, and feeling stuck.

When you listen to it, you'll make better choices — ones that align with your goals and well-being.

??? Pause for just a second and ask yourself: "Does what I'm reading feel right for me in this moment?"

Notice if your body feels open and at ease or tight and constricted — your inner guidance is always speaking. It's telling you what nourishes you and what doesn't every moment of every day.

A Powerful Self-Management Tool I Use with My Clients: The 5-Year Plan

One of the best ways to strengthen self-management is getting crystal clear on where you want to be in five years.

Here’s how to do it:

1?? Imagine it’s five years from now. Everything has worked out exactly as you wanted.

2?? Ask: What does life look like? Where do you live? What does your law practice look like? Who are you working with? How do you feel?

3?? Write it all down—get specific.

4?? Every day, ask: "Are my actions today moving me closer to or further away from that vision?"

This is a tool I use with my clients, and it will keep you focused on what matters and makes it easier to self-manage in the moment.

Self-Compassion: The Missing Piece of Self-Management

Most of us think self-management means being harder on ourselves—pushing through, working harder, forcing discipline.

But beating yourself up actually makes self-management harder.

Think about it:

?? If you criticize yourself for procrastinating, you feel worse—and then procrastinate even more.

?? If you tell yourself you're “bad” at managing time, you'll prove yourself right by avoiding planning. No one likes to feel bad every time they think about planning!

?? If you think you should already know how to do something, you'll resist learning and growing. You'll avoid asking for help because you're embarrassed that you don't know how to do something.

Self-compassion helps you stay in the game.

It allows you to learn, adjust, and keep going without the emotional weight of self-judgment.

When you treat yourself with kindness, you'll want to follow through. You'll want to show up for yourself. That makes all the difference in the results you'll get.

Next Steps

Self-management is the key to creating the life and law practice you want—but it’s not something you have to figure out alone.

?? If you’re ready to implement these tools and start making real progress, let’s talk. Book a Strategy Session here, and we’ll map out a plan to get you where you want to be.

Every decision you make is shaping your future. Make sure you're creating the future you truly desire.

Dina

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How Dina Can Help You

Dina Cataldo is a leading legal industry expert, master certified coach, speaker, and host of the popular podcast “Be a Better Lawyer.”

She helps lawyers take control of their lives and law practices by helping them remove obstacles to growth and create time freedom and peace. These skills allow lawyers to build their practices with more ease than they ever imagined possible.

Dina's insights and advice have been featured on various prominent platforms. She's spoken at the Alabama State Bar Annual Meeting, on podcasts like “Law Firm Autopilot” and “Maximum Lawyer Podcast,” and more.

Through her coaching and speaking, Dina has positively impacted the lives of thousands of lawyers, helping them manage their time, overcome overwhelm, boost self-confidence, and find fulfillment in their legal careers.

Her empathetic and strategic approach has made her a sought-after coach among partners, solo practitioners, and boutique firm owners.

Dina Cataldo is a trailblazer in the legal industry, and she continues to inspire and empower big hearted female lawyers, to achieve professional success and personal fulfillment.

To book a call with her to learn more about working with her one-on-one to build your practice with ease instead of overwhelm, go to dinacataldo.com/strategysession.