Doing Less Can Mean Achieving More in the Business of Law

“Efficiency is intelligent laziness.” – Anonymous

What if Your Next Big Leap Starts with a Step Back?

As lawyers, you're told that success comes from constantly moving forward—more clients, more cases, more billable hours. But what if the secret to real success isn't doing more but doing less? What if your next giant leap comes from taking a step back and optimizing your effort for better results?

I'm here to tell you that doing less can help you achieve more—without sacrificing quality, client satisfaction, or your sanity. It's time to rethink the way you approach the business of law.

Focus on What Matters Most

Let's start with a hard truth: You can't do everything and shouldn't try. Being busy doesn't mean you're being productive. Think about your daily tasks—how many of them are truly essential? How many could you delegate, streamline, or even eliminate?

Actionable Tip: Identify your priorities by asking yourself:

• What tasks bring the most value to my clients?

• Which tasks require my expertise?

• Which tasks could someone else handle?

By clarifying what truly matters, you can focus your energy on the work that makes the most significant difference. And the rest? Delegate or streamline it.

Use Smarter Tools to Streamline Work

Streamlining your work isn’t about cutting corners—it’s about working smarter. Tools like Clio or MyCase can automate client intake and appointment scheduling, saving hours of time.

Platforms like DocuSign simplify contract signings, while templates for retainers, emails, and filings handle repetitive tasks with ease.

Delegation matters too—whether you hire a virtual assistant via Belay or use tools like Trello or Asana to manage projects and tasks “in-house.”

Don’t overlook other time-savers. LawPay makes billing straightforward, and Grammarly ensures polished documents without extra effort.

Actionable Tip: Start small. Pick one tool that addresses your biggest pain point—like managing client communications or tracking deadlines—and see how it transforms your efficiency. Let technology handle the routine so you can focus on what matters most.

Set Boundaries to Avoid Burnout and Boost Efficiency

Burnout is real. Constant hustling can lead to mistakes, and overworking doesn’t always mean better results. In fact, the more you push yourself, the more likely you are to make costly errors. That’s why setting boundaries isn’t just necessary for self-care—it’s crucial for your business.

As they say, “You can’t pour from an empty cup.” Instead of pushing yourself until you’re drained, prioritize strategy over sheer labor. By batching similar tasks together, saying no when you’re stretched too thin, and taking regular breaks, you’ll be able to deliver higher-quality work and avoid burnout.

Actionable Tips to Sustain Peak Performance:

1. Say No When You're Stretched Thin: Boundaries aren’t just for clients—they’re for you, too. When you’re overloaded, saying no can help you stay focused on what really matters.

2. Batch Similar Tasks Together: Grouping client calls, admin work, and case prep allows you to stay in the zone and improve efficiency.

3. Take Breaks: Work in 90-minute blocks, then take a 10-minute walk.

4. Implement the "Two-Minute Rule": If a task takes less than two minutes to complete, do it immediately. If it’s longer, delegate or schedule it for later.

FYI: 5 Benefits of a 10-Minute Walk Break

1. Clears Mental Blocks: A brief walk gives your brain the space it needs to reset and approach problems with a fresh perspective.

2. Reduces Stress: Taking a short break to walk allows your body to release tension, helping you return to work feeling calmer.

3. Boosts Energy Levels: A quick walk increases blood flow, giving you a natural energy boost without relying on caffeine.

4. Sharpened Focus: Stepping away for a few minutes can help you regain focus and return to your tasks with clearer direction.

5. Improves Your Mood: A short break in the fresh air helps lift your mood, making it easier to tackle the next task with a positive mindset.

Learn From Other Lawyers’ Success

You don’t have to reinvent the wheel. Learn from others who have successfully implemented time-saving strategies.

Take Sophia, a family law attorney, who streamlined her client intake process using automated templates. This reduced her time on forms, leaving more time for strategic client discussions.

Or Michael, a solo practitioner who hired a part-time virtual assistant. Instead of chasing unpaid invoices, he now has more time to focus on building more robust case strategies.

Actionable Tip: Don’t overcomplicate things. Look for simple tweaks that could add hours back into your week. Even small changes make a big difference over time.

Keep Strategies Simple and Client-Focused

You don't need complex systems to improve efficiency. Simplicity works. Clients appreciate clarity, not chaos. When you streamline your processes, it makes everything feel lighter. Your clients notice when you're focused and in control, and it boosts your confidence in managing your practice.

Take Christina, a corporate lawyer who created a library of pre-written responses to common client questions. The library saved her hours each week, and her clients were thrilled with the fast replies.

Actionable Tip: Build templates or responses for the most common tasks. Whether client follow-ups or contract clauses, pre-written templates will help you save time and look more organized and on your game.

Take Action Toward Smarter Success

Here’s your action plan:

1. Choose one area to improve: Identify a task that’s draining your time, like client follow-ups, and make it your starting point for improvement.

2. Experiment with a tool or strategy: Test an automation tool or project management platform for one task and assess its impact on your workflow.

3. Evaluate and adapt: After trying something new, take a moment to review how it worked—what clicked, and where can you adjust to make it even better?

Actionable Tip: Start today. Don’t wait for the perfect moment. Pick one area that’s draining your time and take the first step toward making it easier. Whether it’s automating a simple task or testing a new tool, action is always the first step to progress.

Master the Art of Letting Go

Here's something many self-employed lawyers struggle with: Letting go.

Delegating tasks doesn't mean losing control—you're trusting others to handle the work that doesn't require your expertise. And trust me, it can be liberating.

Actionable Tip: If you have control issues and are a micromanager, start small. Delegate a simple task. Once you see how easy it is to let go, you'll gain more confidence in handing off more significant tasks.

Closing Thoughts: Smart Work Wins

You're not just a lawyer—you’re a leader, a strategist, and a problem solver. By embracing smarter tools, setting clear boundaries, and prioritizing what matters most, you’ll have more time and energy to focus on what you set out to do: guide and support your clients.

Remember, efficiency is about working with purpose, not just pace. It’s intelligent laziness. It’s about doing less, achieving more, and feeling good doing it.

Take the time to step back, rethink your approach, and start implementing more intelligent strategies today. Your clients—and your sanity—will thank you for it.

Your Turn: Which smarter way will you try first? Let me know in the comments below!

Now, go nail it!

Stacey Mathis - Your Copywriting Legal Guardian