Weekly Work Goal as a Lawyer
Lawyers bill in different ways, hourly, contingency, flat fees, block fees.
For me, it’s always been hourly. My work lives in six-minute increments. Every call, every email, every draft, tracked, measured, accounted for.
Before becoming a mom, I could easily docket 50–60 hours a week. That pace, that focus—it was part of who I was. But motherhood changes everything. Not in a negative way, but in a real, undeniable way. Your time is no longer just yours. Your energy is divided. Your priorities expand.
And suddenly, even though your workload hasn’t decreased—in fact, it’s probably increased—you find yourself with fewer hours to give. Lately, I’ve been maxing out around 25 hours a week. And the hardest part isn’t just the numbers… it’s the mental load of knowing what still needs to be done. The unfinished tasks. The files waiting. The constant feeling of being a step behind.
So this week, I’m setting a goal.
A big one.
60 hours.
Not because it’s easy. Not because it’s realistic every week. But because I want to see what’s possible—how I can push myself, restructure my time, and maybe find a new rhythm that works for this version of me.
I’ll share how it goes. If I succeed, I’ll tell you exactly how I made it happen. And if I don’t, I’ll share that too—because this is the reality of balancing work, life and motherhood.
#momswhowork #lawyerlifestyle #lawstudentblog #lawyercontent #motivational
Working as a lawyer often means committing to long hours, especially when billing is calculated in precise six-minute increments. From personal experience, I know that sustaining such a workload is challenging, even more so when balancing motherhood. The mental load of unfinished work and mounting tasks can weigh heavily. Having also faced this balancing act, I found that setting clear, measurable weekly goals helped me regain control. Like aiming for a 60-hour week not every time but as a stretch target, it motivated me to reorganize my tasks and identify periods of high productivity. Prioritizing key activities—such as blocking focused time for drafting and calls—is crucial. Utilizing tools like a detailed timesheet or a success journal, similar to the six-minute tracking noted, can provide valuable insights into where your time goes and help prevent burnout. Moreover, breaking work into smaller segments aids in maintaining concentration and reducing overwhelm. Importantly, adjusting expectations to accept that some weeks will be more demanding while others less so creates a sustainable rhythm. Motherhood shifts energy and focus, but embracing this change and cultivating resilience allows for professional growth without sacrificing family time. Ultimately, balancing law career demands and family life requires flexibility, honest self-assessment, and clear goal setting. This approach not only boosts productivity but also fosters fulfillment in both roles.
