You’ve set aside a two-hour block to organize and assemble the exhibits for that deposition. Only, when you come to the end of your time, you realize you’re only three-quarters of the way there.  Why didn’t you finish?

Accurately projecting the amount of time something can take is a well-calibrated science when the task at hand is broken down into its components.  Before you begin a project or task, first ask yourself if you have all of the elements that you need to complete it.  Are there any other resources that you should have on hand?  Are there any associates, clients, or specialists with whom you need to consult?

When you are sure you have everything you need, break down the task into its separate parts.  In the case of exhibits for depositions, this might entail checking the chain of custody on each exhibit or putting post-its on the relevant pages of a contract.   How many separate tasks can your project be broken down into?  How long will each of these parts take realistically?   Once you’ve added up the time for all the different parts of the project, add 25% more time to your overall estimate.  That way, if you hit a snag, you’ll have already accounted for it in your time budget.

You may find you no longer have a big enough block to completely finish your task from start to finish.  No matter.  When filling in your white space during your morning planning, write down in your calendar which next actions you’ll be taking that particular day.  When you finish those sub-tasks in the amount of time you projected, you’ll still feel a sense of completion.

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