Solicitors - Unplug from technology for a week
It is no secret that solicitors don’t take enough vacations. This is all the more true for sole practitioners, who are entirely responsible for the functioning of their firms.
In the end, unplugging from all technology is good for you, your practice, and your clients. But getting away requires getting over your fear of it and executing a few carefully planned steps.
Here are five tips for how to make it happen for you.
1. Find a Backup
A backup lawyer is likely to be someone with whom you work in close physical proximity and who shares your practice area. A backup lawyer will never be the same as if you were there, but it can be close enough for you to get your break. They should be familiar with your practice area but may not work in it.
2. Use Technology
Set your email out-of-office replies and phone messages so that people contacting you understand when to expect to hear back from you and what they can do (contact the backup) if they cannot wait.
3. Give Advance Notice
For anyone you are dealing with on a regular basis, provide the courtesy of advance warning that you will be away.
4. Plan Ahead
Do all that you can to get your work to a point where it can afford to sit for the period of your absence. Move everything along to the point it can afford to wait.
5. Enjoy Your Break
6. Follow Through When You Get Back
Time for re-entry. If you have a terrible experience when you return from unplugging, you probably won’t do it again. The way to guard against that is to make sure that when you come back from vacation, you follow through on your promises made in your out-of-office replies, your outgoing voice mail greeting, and your prior communications with clients. If you promised return calls, make them; return emails, send them. By keeping your promises, you can demonstrate why it should not be such taboo to unplug, and instead show how well it can work.
Leonie Queree, Leo Recruitment Limited
Phone: 021 205 7342 leonie@leorecruitment. co.nz