If you haven’t read David Allen’s book: Getting Things Done, I recommend you read it. One of my former partners gave me the book in 2005 and I have probably given it to over 100 lawyers. It is also the most popular book on my reading list.
One thing you will learn reading the book is to create a “next action” list. Get some ideas from reading: How is a Next Action List Different from a To Do List? and reading: Why ‘What’s the Next Action’ is the Most Important Question.
Let me give real life examples:
- What is your next action to prepare your plan for the 2d quarter this year?
- Suppose you want to connect with people you met at a conference last week, what is your next action?
- Suppose you want to make a presentation to an industry group, what is your next action?
- Suppose you just posted a blog you think includes valuable information, what is your next action?
- Suppose you just gave a presentation that was well received, what is your next action?
- Suppose you just had lunch with a college classmate who is working with a company you would like to represent, what is your next action?
- Suppose you just gave a pitch to a potential client, what is your next action?
- Suppose you just successfully finished a matter for a client, what is your next action?