One thing I’ve noticed in the last few months while I have been running the law firm by myself, is that the amount of responsibility I have really takes a toll on the time I have for “life” outside of working. I am curious to hear what other solo practioners (and other small business owners, in general) do to separate work from life. Another problem that I have is that I know and understand that I have to take a vacation at some point to get away from work, but I dread the thought of coming back to a pile of messages, e-mails, and files on my desk.
For example, I was out of my office for four hours last week at a mediation and by the time I returned, it seems like every emergency that could have happened did. Not only did this happen when I only had half the day left to sort it out, but I was supposed to be preparing for a full day trial that started the next morning. Needless to say, it was a long night. I guess it is also needless to say that there aren’t too many eight hour work days either. It seems to take much more time to practice law, manage a law firm, budget, pay the bills, etc., etc.
I imagine the “practicing law” part of the equation gets easier as you get more and more experience, so that can reduce the amount of time spent “working,” but how does an attorney go about automating his practice where time can be spent doing other, more important, things and the firm still continue on to make more and more money? Is this impossible? I know it works in other businesses? Possibly the small law firm is not a compatible business model.
My goal? A low overhead, autopilot-capable, profit-mining, work from almost anywhere business model. Does such a thing exist?