I’ve spent the better part of three years working remotely. As companies begin to insist on going back to the office, I proudly hold out as one of the law firms that is happy to be catapulted into remote working conditions.
I started as a solo practitioner in a traditional office in Austin, Texas, and then moved to Bentonville, Arkansas, where I remotely manage my law firm. Every quarter, I travel to Austin to meet with my team and check on the office (now virtual except for estate planning signings). My remote team includes me, another estate planning lawyer, an administrative assistant, and a PR/marketing intern. Here are some tips I use for managing my work and team from home.
- Keep Your Work Environment Organized
Set up a workspace or room that you use just for work. Use a cabinet to store supplies, a shelf to hold paper files (if you don’t have cloud storage — which you should consider), and a desk for your computer.
- Be Flexible With Your Schedule
As a remote worker, you probably won’t control what happens outside of work hours. You may get stuck in traffic while dropping your kids off at school. You might have a problem because you forgot to pick up milk for breakfast. Maybe you are like me, and you appreciate a glacial start to your morning. Fortunately, having a flexible plan can help you maximize your day, even with life’s surprises.
- Have Regular Meeting Times
Another challenge to being part of a remote team is that regular meetings aren’t often prioritized. You might be able to meet in person once a month, but if you’re traveling, it might be hard to find a time that works. In those cases, it’s best to set up a regular meeting time via video call. That way, you can check in face to face. We have a weekly client status meeting, in addition to bimonthly one on ones.
- Organize Your Inbox With Email Filters
When you’re working remotely, it’s easy to forget about important messages. For example, if you’re working on a case and you receive an urgent message from a client, you might not notice it right away. It could already be too late by the time you return to your computer. That’s why it’s crucial to set up an email filter. When you receive an important message, you can add it to your list. Then, you can check off the items on your list as they come in.
- Don’t Forget To Take Breaks
Remote workers often complain that they never get enough breaks and express frustration with spending endless hours in front of computers. And it’s true — working long hours can wear you down. However, taking frequent breaks can improve your productivity. One study shows that people who take short breaks boost creativity and productivity throughout the day. I’ve had some of my best business inspirations come to me when I decided to take a 15- to 30-minute walk in nature.
- Manage Your Energy Levels
There’s no doubt that working from home can be stressful. After all, you’re responsible for handling many different responsibilities simultaneously. Distractions like laundry or the fridge usually surround you, or watering plants (maybe just me?). That’s why it’s essential to manage your energy levels. Try setting aside specific times to focus on certain tasks. For example, I dedicate 15 minutes, twice a day, to answering emails, usually when my energy starts to dip.
- Get Help From Others
Being a remote worker means that you have fewer resources available to you. So it can be difficult to complete complex tasks on your own. Fortunately, you can ask others for help. For example, I’ve recently started editing my estate planning videos on Fiverr rather than spending time trying to do it on my own. Or you can consult with a colleague or team member to proofread your work.
Last week I wrote about managing remote teams, and I hope you find my follow-up on how I manage my day as a remote worker helpful. I welcome your comments at iffy@iffyibekwe.com.
Iffy Ibekwe is the principal attorney and founder of Ibekwe Law, PLLC. She is an estate planning attorney evangelist for intergenerational wealth transfer with effective wills and trusts. Iffy is writing her first book on culturally competent estate planning, available in 2022 (prayers up!). She graduated from The University of Texas School of Law and has practiced law for over 14 years. Iffy can be reached by email at iffywrites@ibekwelaw.com, on her website, and on Instagram @thejustincaselawyer.
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