Friend, here's The Timesheet for November 2007

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On this album, Savell sings about matters of the heart in the unlikely love song "(She's An) Electronic Discovery" and the upbeat "Della Street." Big-firm associates in big cities (epecially New York) will recognize themselves in "Orderin' In" and "Cadillac Cab," while "Little Bluebook" speaks to lawyers everywhere. It's the perfect gift for any attorney: after all, how many other album covers give the length of each song in billable hours?

For the complete playlist, as well as song samples, check out The Lawtunes: Live at Blackacre.

And then I read an article that my coach sent me from a recent New York Times article called Oh Joy! Breakfast With the Boss. To give you the flavor of the article, here's a snippet:

PLEASE do not invite me to breakfast.

It's not that I don't like breakfast. To the contrary, I could happily eat eggs or cereal at every meal. But I write about life-work balance, and it feels a little contradictory to conduct an interview, or attend a conference, or give a speech, when everyone involved had to sacrifice sleep to attend.

I have similar qualms about working dinners. After a long day of work, why follow it up with more work?

* * *

There has been a shift in the role of these meetings-with-food over the years. In the 80's, a 7 a.m. appointment was a sign that you were so important you had to start before dawn. We called them power breakfasts back then, and Masters of the Universe wanted to be seen at their regular table at dawn.

More recently, however, they've come to feel like yet another symptom of an overstuffed day.

1. Plan intentionally. If you "go with the flow," someone else will be determining the balance of your life. Instead, spend a few minutes every month deciding what commitments (business and personal commitments) are non-negotiable for you. Don't forget to include time you spend on true recreation. Mark those on your calendars, and then consider what else you'd like to add in.

2. Exercise your discretion. When you have an opportunity to attend a work gathering, whether it's a working meeting or business socializing, at times outside the ordinary work day, consider carefully before accepting. What will you be saying "no" to if you say "yes" to this event? Is the event important? Is it urgent? Do you want to do it? There's no single "right" answer here that means you should or shouldn't attend. The questions will lead you to your decision without dictating it.

3. Limit yourself. You either have learned or will learn soon that energy is not infinite. Adding morning and evening business commitments to a packed schedule can constitute self-sabotage if done without attention to the effects on your energy level. One client I worked with decided to limit herself to 2 evening commitments each week and never to schedule a morning meeting before 9 AM on the day following an evening commitment. Although she reduced the number of hours she devoted to work in this way, she increased her productivity during working hours as a result.

Are you happy with the amount of time you spend on working meals? If not, what changes will you make?

Julie Fleming Brown provides professional and personal coaching for lawyers on topics such as client and professional development, job searches, career transitions, and work/life balance. She is also certified to provide the DISC® assessment. Please visit http://www.LifeAtTheBar.com/ for more information and to arrange a complimentary coaching exploration session. To get your free Life at the Bar Survival Kit, go to http://www.lifeatthebar.com/MenuSignUp.htm

Like these cartoons? Send them to friends, clients or colleagues on greeting cards. To order, visit The Billable Hour Card Store.

Did you Know that Stu also licenses his artwork for use in newsletters, presentations, print publications and on websites? He even offers special rates for student and teacher use.

Timesheet readers get 15% off all licensing orders (use coupon code BILLHOUR). Click here for information on licensing "Settle Like Adults", click here for information on licensing "Look of Contempt", or visit www.Stus.com for more information on licensing one of the hundreds of images Stu offers.

As the calendar moves inexorably forward towards Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa and New Year's, lawyers' thoughts turn to sending out holiday greeting cards. Here are the answers to some common questions about ordering from The Billable Hour Card Store.

What kinds of cards do you carry?
The Billable Hour Card Store features over 200 humorous law-related greeting cards, covering a wide range of topics. We also carry a large selection of more "traditional" greeting cards for the holiday season with images of snowflakes, ornaments, menorahs, Christmas trees and the like.

Our humorous legal cards are organized by occasion, practice area, topic, intended recipient (lawyers, judges, law students, court reporters and paralegals) and collection. All of our traditional cards are under the Especially For>Clients category; the category is further subdivided by occasion. So, even though there are hundreds of cards to choose from, the clear organization of cards on the website lets you quickly find the cards that are just right for you.

Are these e-cards or real paper cards?
Our cards are not e-cards: they are printed cards on 5"x7" heavy glossy stock. The store uses print-on-demand technology that allows you to send highly personalized cards to your clients, colleagues, prospects and friends.

How much do the cards cost?
Single cards are $2.99 each, and bulk discounts are available for purchases of 10 cards or more. Here is the bulk pricing chart:

Remember, the bulk discount is based on the total number of cards in your cart. So, for example, if you want to order 50 cards in one design, and your partner wants to order 50 cards in a different design, you will be entitled to the discount applicable to 100 cards (as long as all the cards are in the shopping cart at the time of checkout). Therefore, each card in your order would be priced at $1.94.

Sales tax is added for California orders only.

How does the ordering process work?
Creating a customized card is easy. At each stage, you can preview the card on the screen before proceeding.

First, choose your cover image.

Next, personalize your card. You can include any message at all on the inside of the card (or you can leave the inside blank). There are eight different fonts and 131 ink colors to choose from.

You can also upload a signature or logo to appear underneath the message. To make the card even more personal, you may even upload a photograph, which will be printed on the card's inside left panel. There is no additional charge for these features, which are completely optional.

Can you mail my cards directly to the recipients?
Yes! Forget running envelopes through your printer or peeling hundreds of labels from their backing: when you order from The Billable Hour Card Store, you can have your cards mailed directly to the recipients (U.S. destinations only) on the date of your choice. Envelopes are stamped, not metered. Your own return address appears on cards mailed directly to the recipient: in effect, you receive free envelope imprinting. Addresses can be uploaded from Microsoft Outlook as well as other CRM programs.

Of course, if you prefer to hand-sign your cards, you can have the cards shipped to you, along with blank envelopes.

Remember, both Thanksgiving and Hanukkah are early this year: Thanksgiving is on November 22, while the first night of Hanukkah is December 4—less than a month away. Don't delay: visit The Billable Hour Card Store now.

©Dan Rosandich. All rights reserved.

Like this cartoon? Send it to friends, clients or colleagues on greeting cards. To order, visit The Billable Hour Card Store.

To view Juris Comic, click here

The law is my Shepherd;
I shall not lose.
It causeth me to collect fees, in advance.
It Restoreth my bank balance.
It leadeth me to victory and to wealth.
Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of malpractice
I shall fear no judgment;
For my premiums are paid.
Thy Statute and Thy reporter;
They comfort me.
Thou causeth me to prepare a settlement conference,
In the presence of mine opposition.
Thou restoreth me to solvency.
Surely victory and paying clients shall follow me all the days of my practice;
And I shall dwell in the Temple of Justice, forever.

©Marc S. Stern 1987. All rights reserved.

Marc S. Stern is a solo practitioner in Seattle, Washington who practices in the areas of bankruptcy and insolvency, commercial litigation, collections, entity formation, general business law and real estate. His website is at www.hutzbahlaw.com.

Click here to enlarge

©Suzan Charlton. All rights reserved.