LPM Tip
Accessing power off the grid: In the event of a blackout . . .
Nope. I'm not talking about battery backups . . . though, those are fine
things, if you've ever thought that your computer has everything it
needs except for the generator.
Nope. When I don't have electrical power, I don't feel the urge to
get back online . . . and, while refrigeration is a real good
thing, there's
something to be said for warming a can of beans the old-fashioned way.
Like many others, I was left without electrical power following
superstorm Sandy . . . frankly, it was splendid.
Based on my recent experience, here are some useful things you can
do to remain productive . . . even without your computer:
- Create a to-do list. You'll likely be
surprised about the projects you leave off . . . not that you
should avoid doing the things you can't list without the aid of
your task bar; but, this is an interesting exercise to determine
which projects are really meaningful to you, based on a
determination of how memorable they are.
- Brainstorm new projects. Our worklives are
mostly taken up with multi-tasking, by which we're able to put out
the daily flashfires, rather than starting them. Free your mind from that mess, and concentrate
more deeply on potential projects, in order to engage really useful
endeavors that will actually be memorable . . . for the
next time you write out your to-do list during a blackout.
- Reduce your piles. What better time to wade
through your paper files/work/documents (to the extent you have
them anymore) than when you have nothing better to do? Because
you're not getting to it at any other time . . .
- Work on your elevator speech(es). You've got a
mirror. You've got a candle. You've got quiet. Why not spend some
time tweaking your elevator pitches, to potential clients and
referral sources? In theory, you won't need to type out the final
product, since you'll need to have it down cold for when you deliver it. No keyboard? No
problem.
- Play a board game. If Neil Patrick Harris is into board games, then
so am I. Spend some time with your friends and/or family, by
organizing an impromptu game night with your household. It'll improve
your state of mind, and you'll approach the bulk of your work with
a fresher mindset, when it is that you get back to it.
My job often breaks down to telling attorneys how they can best
utilize technology to manage their businesses . . . but, it's
surprising just how much you can still do, offline.
The epilogue to Ralph Ellison's 'Invisible Man' can be read, in
part, as a requiem for the virtues of isolation in modern society.
But, I won't ruin it for you . . .
Of course, I have the luxury of creating simple diversions for
use during a minor power outage (mine was 24 hours), because
Massachusetts was left mostly unaffected by the recent
storms. If you wish to donate to those who are still
experiencing, and will continue to experience, serious
ramifications from superstorm Sandy, you can give to the Red Cross via
this portal.
Tip courtesy of Jared Correia, Law Office Management Assistance
Program.
Published November 15, 2012
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To learn more about the Law Practice Management
Section, which is complimentary for all MBA members,
contact LPM Section Chair Thomas J. Barbar or Vice
Chair Cynthia E.
MacCausland.