In Conversation with Dr. Vijeta Sahay
In the legal profession, time is everything—missing a deadline can make or break a case, and poor time management can hinder career growth. Whether you're a law student juggling academics, internships, and moot courts, or a practicing lawyer managing client cases and court appearances, mastering time management is crucial to success.
To shed light on how legal professionals can prioritize effectively, beat procrastination, and work smarter, we spoke with Dr. Vijeta Sahay, a renowned Career Success Mentor and Senior HR Leadership Professional. With over 20 years of experience, she has guided countless professionals to accelerate their careers, secure well-deserved promotions, and build a reputation for efficiency and excellence.
In this insightful conversation, Dr. Vijeta shares actionable strategies for legal professionals to manage their workload effectively, minimize stress, and maximize career growth. If you’re ready to take control of your time and legal career, read on!
Jharna Jagtiani: Dr. Vijeta, thank you for joining us today. Time management is a major challenge for law students and legal professionals who juggle academics, internships, cases, and research. From your experience, how does effective time management impact career success in the legal field?
Dr. Vijeta Sahay: Thank you, Jharna! Time management is not just a skill—it’s a survival tool for legal professionals. Whether you're preparing for moot courts, handling client cases, or drafting legal documents, managing your time well determines your effectiveness. Lawyers who prioritize strategically can meet deadlines, maintain work-life balance, and build a strong professional reputation. The ability to focus on high-value tasks rather than simply staying busy is what differentiates successful legal professionals from the rest.
Jharna Jagtiani: That’s so relevant, especially in a profession where missing a deadline can have serious consequences. What prioritization techniques would you recommend for law students and lawyers?
Dr. Vijeta Sahay: Prioritization in law is all about distinguishing between urgent matters and important ones. I always recommend using the Eisenhower Matrix—it helps categorize tasks into: urgent and important (like court filings), important but not urgent (like networking or upskilling), urgent but not important (routine administrative work), and neither urgent nor important (distractions like social media). By identifying where to focus, legal professionals can avoid last-minute stress and enhance productivity.
Jharna Jagtiani: That’s a practical approach! But procrastination is something many law students struggle with, especially with research-heavy tasks. How can they overcome it?
Dr. Vijeta Sahay: Absolutely, procrastination is common, especially with complex legal work that feels overwhelming. A great way to beat it is by breaking large tasks into smaller, manageable steps. For example, instead of saying, “I need to draft a 30-page contract,” start with “I’ll outline the key clauses first.” The Two-Minute Rule is also useful—if something takes less than two minutes, do it immediately. For bigger projects, using time-blocking techniques and setting SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) creates momentum and accountability.
Jharna Jagtiani: That makes sense! Given the long hours in the legal field, how can law students and lawyers maintain focus and minimize distractions?
Dr. Vijeta Sahay: Focus is a skill that needs to be developed, especially in a demanding profession like law. I suggest identifying your peak productivity hours—some people work best in the morning, while others are night owls. Schedule deep work (like legal drafting or case analysis) during those hours. Also, eliminate distractions: silence unnecessary notifications, create a dedicated workspace, and use the Pomodoro Technique—work in focused intervals of 25–50 minutes with short breaks. Learning to say ‘no’ to commitments that don’t align with your career goals is equally important.
Jharna Jagtiani: That’s a great takeaway! You’ll be covering these aspects in-depth at the Employability Skill Development Bootcamp. What can law students and legal professionals expect from your session?
Dr. Vijeta Sahay: I’m really excited for the session! We’ll dive deep into strategic prioritization, time-blocking, and overcoming procrastination—tailored specifically for law students and legal professionals.
We’ll also tackle real-world challenges, like managing court deadlines, balancing multiple internships, and handling client work effectively. This won’t be just theory—participants will engage in practical exercises and case studies to apply these strategies immediately. By the end of the session, they’ll have a personalized action plan to maximize productivity, reduce stress, and advance their legal careers.
Jharna Jagtiani: That sounds like a session every law student and lawyer should attend! Before we wrap up, what’s one final piece of advice you’d give to legal professionals looking to grow their careers?
Dr. Vijeta Sahay: Own your time, and you’ll own your career! The legal profession is demanding, but success isn’t about working harder—it’s about working smarter. Plan your day, protect your time, and invest in continuous learning. And of course, join us at the Employability Skill Development Bootcamp to learn how to make every moment count!
Jharna Jagtiani: Thank you, Dr. Vijeta! I’m sure our legal community will benefit immensely from your insights.
Dr. Vijeta Sahay: Thank you, Jharna! I can’t wait to connect with everyone at the bootcamp. See you there!
🚀 Are you ready to take charge of your time and career?
Join Dr. Vijeta Sahay at the Employability Skill Development Bootcamp and gain practical strategies to supercharge your legal career.
Secure your spot today! 🎯🔥
コメント