Lawyers...I Must Ask, How Do You Do It?

Maybe I've read too many John Grisham books. Maybe I've watched too many TV shows. Maybe I'm just gullible. But from what I know, lawyers (as well as other professions...) they work insane hours, and I don't know how they do it.

Last week I worked overtime, perhaps the most overtime I've ever worked in my life. Back in college I sometimes had two, even three jobs and I probably worked more hours in a given week, but working different jobs I think helps the brain. It allows a person to manage the tasks at hand. I'm not expert, but it seems that way.

But working one job for 50, 60 or more hours in a week has really worn me out! And, this week there's more work than I can possibly complete. I'm looking at the same situation. I finally had a break last Saturday. The work was there, but I was beat. I couldn't do another full day so I only worked a couple of hours.

If lawyers really work 70, or 80 hours a week, I hope they're young and healthy. I can't think of any other way of getting it done without sacrificing their family and their health. But they do and--just like me--I'm sure there's always more work that needs doing.

Oh, What Do You Do When It's Overtime...

This week we've been "encouraged" to work overtime. We all knew it was coming. When we signed on to work this assignment, we knew working more than the traditional 40-hours a week would one day arrive. It's now here.

Others have put in so many hours these last two weeks. Not me. I took time off last weekend to attend a little get-together with 80,000 other people of similar interests. This week, it's time to get to work. 

We have several deadlines coming up--the first big deadline arrives in seventeen days. On October 1, 2013 people will be able, for the first time, to apply for the Affordable Care Act, or as everyone knows it...Obamacare. We've got a lot of work to do before that day arrives.

Some turn to energy drinks to get them through the day, others coffee. I drink neither. I have been known to purchase a caffeinated cola now and then. I used to drink it everyday. Back in grad school I felt I had to have my "fix" or I wouldn't get through those long days. Turns out I was just as tired when I stopped drinking Pepsis and Cokes as I was when I drank them, so I stopped.

For the next six months or so, we're going to be busy. I just hope we can get it all done. And I hope I can do it without too much liquid help.