So many lawyers can’t find enough time in the workday to get everything done. So they go in early, stay late, work through lunch, or spend time on the weekend. And the consequence is missing out on family time, time with friends, and taking care of themselves.

This may sound familiar to you. If it does, I bet one of the culprits is right in front of your face, and you’ve never realized it. I used to use to-do lists all the time. I still have some around, in fact. But I have come to learn that the seemingly innocent to-do list was actually keeping me from getting important things done. So they have been banished from my desk.

In this episode I talk about the difference between tasks that are urgent and those that are important, and why it is the urgent tasks that keep you from really getting things done. I share a system I teach my coaching clients and that I use myself to ensure I work on the important things each day.

TAKEAWAY: to get done the things that are important, stop prioritizing the priorities of others over your own priorities, and make a priority to do the things that are important for you.