We’re all familiar with the traditional 9 to 5 grind and its expectations. However, when you’re your own boss, the question arises: how do I get it all done? I believe it’s always helpful to gain insight into how someone else navigates this. So, in today’s post, I’m going to walk you through a very high-level (full details in the podcast episode below) week in my life as the owner of a virtual, flexible law firm.
Before I dive into showcasing what’s possible and providing inspiration for your own week, while also assuring you that you’re not alone in balancing lawyering and life, I want to highlight an important principle that guides my weeks:
THEMES.
Throughout my week, I stick to daily themes and block out specific times for different tasks. This has been my secret sauce for staying on track and making everything work.
Monday: A Slow Start
The week starts with a slow Monday, with no obligations until 3 p.m. We take advantage of this to sleep in and enjoy an easy, simple breakfast together. As I’ve mentioned before, I hybrid homeschool, so Monday mornings are dedicated to easing into our homeschool routine, focusing on assignments in the morning and horseback riding in the afternoon. The evening routine, likely similar to many families with young children, is what I call a blur from 4:30 to 8 p.m., filled with dinner preparation, family time, and bedtime routine, with kids usually in bed by 8 p.m. And since we’re delving into details, I’ll add that on Mondays and Thursdays, I tend to prepare more elaborate meals or batch cook, as these are the days I’m home.
Tuesday: Client Work Focus
On Tuesday, my husband is home. He works four 10-hour days, so he’s off on Tuesdays and has the kids that day. Tuesday is my first workday of the week, dedicated exclusively to client work and consultations. I prefer working outside the home to avoid interruptions (mums with kids can relate) and to have reliable internet for video calls (at home, we have satellite internet). The day is packed with various tasks, like drafting legal documents and responding to client emails, and filing various client IP applications. All in all, it ends up being about a six-hour workday for me.
Wednesday: Marketing Day
Wednesday is dedicated to marketing activities, beginning as early as 4:45 a.m. On Wednesdays and Fridays, I have a structured morning routine that includes coffee, reading a devotional book, journaling, and quickly checking my emails. After getting the kids ready, we head to school. Once I drop everyone off, I go to a coffee shop or co-working space, which I’ve recently come to prefer, to film content for my business and conduct networking video calls. I also review and approve content created by my social media manager. As my practice grew, marketing activities started to slide down the priority list, so making Wednesdays a marketing day was a challenge. It came from a combination of protecting Tuesdays as a non-negotiable client work day, outsourcing, and raising my rates. These strategies have allowed me to focus on marketing activities on Wednesdays.
Thursday: Home Day and Side Business
Thursdays are home days, with homeschooling in the morning and a babysitter in the afternoon. This is when I focus on tasks related to this side business, such as recording podcasts or working on new content. The evening routine mirrors that of Monday and Tuesday.
Friday: Catch-All Day
Friday is a mix of catching up on client work in the morning and handling administrative tasks or additional marketing activities in the afternoon. I will also have several client calls. It’s a day to wrap up loose ends before the weekend.
Weekend: Family Time and Strategic Work
Saturdays are screen-free, focused on family activities. I may work on my passion projects, hobbies, and something that I am enjoying if I choose to. Sundays are slower, with church and eating out, and I may use the afternoon for additional work if needed.
Balancing lawyering and personal life is a continuous journey, especially when you’re not tied to a typical 9-to-5 schedule. I hope I offered some insights and inspiration to those exploring flexible work arrangements by sharing a week in my life.
Whether you’re curious about running a virtual business or seeking a better work-life balance, remember that it’s possible with the right strategies and mindset.
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