Making Every Six Minutes Count

CATRIN MILLS studied English and Related Literature at York University before taking the CPE and LPC at the College of Law, York and London, respectively. Catrin trained at City firm Reynolds Porter Chamberlain and spent five years there as an employment lawyer, representing employers and employees alike. Catrin moved to McKeowns in St Albans in 2005 where she set up an employment department. Catrin grew her team to 10 lawyers in three years whilst running her own caseload of high-profile employment matters. Catrin specialised in representing lawyers and other professionals in employment disputes. Catrin now provides individual coaching to lawyers (The Lawyer Coach) and writes a popular blog providing time and stress management tips for the legal profession, and regularly speaks on topics such as the challenges facing working mothers. For more information on The Lawyer Coach and to read Catrin's blog, visit: http://thelawyercoach.wordpress.com

"Making Every Six Minutes Count" by Catrin Mills Easily digestible guide to improving your time management using fast and effective techniques. Reviews for Making Every Six Minutes Count: "Your book is BRILLIANT! I have taken loads of tips from your book and today gained 2 hours more billable time in the same working day. Amazing! I'm making my juniors read it when I've finished. I have also been able to delegate more which is definitely working. It is kind of common sense but the problem is that as a lawyer you get so immersed in law and cases that you need reminding of the basics. I think the book is inspirational and in a way empowering. Every morning the first thing I do is put on my email and it stays on. I have never thought "why do I do this" and it honestly never occurred to me to turn it off. All lawyers are the same and you need to go back to basics now and again and your book does just that." - Clinical negligence partner, Hertfordshire.

• Chapter 1: Time management - Why bother? Managing time is managing yourself; A busy lawyer is not necessarily a successful lawyer; Avoiding the vicious circle; How this report can help you. Chapter 2: Start with your environment; Get some clarity; Clear up; Clinging on to files; Ditch the paperwork; A word on filing; The single-file rule; Using diaries and schedules; Contact information; Business cards; Journals and know-how. Chapter 3: Planning; It's not real work; It's about time leadership; Control time, don't let it control you; Your daily template; Some quick planning tips. Chapter 4: How to prioritise; Dealing with overwhelm; Turn your 'to-do' list into a 'to-day' list; Where do I start? Maximum results for minimum effort. Chapter 5: The art of delegation; Easier said than done; How to delegate properly. Chapter 6: Procrastination - The thief of time; Why do we procrastinate? Beating procrastination. Chapter 7: Managing communications and interruptions; Checking e-mail; E-mail notifications; Some e-mail tips; The internet; Telephones; Exit strategies; Colleagues and visitors; Working from home; Mental distractions; Rewards. Chapter 8: Proactivity versus reactivity; What do we mean by proactivity? Identifying reactive behaviour; Setting boundaries. Chapter 9: Managing clients; It's acceptable to have more than one client; There's still room for quality; Managing expectations; Keeping phone calls in check. Chapter 10: Networking and business development quick wins; Have a plan; Marketing - you're already doing it; Use client feedback; Updating your website; Online networking; 'Re-purposing. ' Chapter 11: Managing pressure and stress; Alcohol and drugs; What can firms do about stress? The economics of stress; Individual or cultural change? Chapter 12: Personal development and career planning; The importance of life planning; Your values; Not just a lawyer. Chapter 13: Practical examples; Example one - The managing partner; Example two - The City partner; Example three - The new partner; Example four - The assistant solicitor; Example five - The trainees; Index.