1. Manage your timekeeping.  For those of you lucky enough not to have the timekeeping responsibility, kudos; for the rest of us it is an important daily task.  Make it a habit to do time billings daily (if not than at least weekly) that way you get your billings in on time and those small tasks, that only take a few minutes, get billed (instead of forgotten).  Remember that small amounts of time add up to large amounts over the course of a day.
2. Manage your calendar.  Avoid missing deadlines by having a calendar system in place to help you meet deadlines without waiting for those last minute emergencies that can cause mistakes.  The key is to faithfully use whatever calendar system that works for both you and your attorney.
3. Manage those files.  Develop and maintain a system that indexes, organizes, identifies, and tracks firm files. If you can’t find the materials contained in files (or the file itself), what good is the system?
4. Manage your clients.  Help keep the client informed about their case which helps to ease the client’s fears and decrease stress level of not only you but your client as well.
5. Be professional.  Pay attention to your behavior in and out of the office, dress in a professional manner, and speak professionally and politely and you will soon be regarded as a professional.
6. Start your day with good nutrition (breakfast, people!), planning, and a positive attitude.  If you run on empty, soon you fail to run.  Start the day off right with breakfast and a plan, this will help you attain and keep a positive attitude.
7. Know exactly what is required of you each day.  If you are unsure, ask your supervising attorney.  Make a plan then work your plan.
8. Avoid interpersonal conflict among co-workers, gossip, oversharing of your personal life, and avoid political topics (even office politics).
9. Get organized and stay organized.  You will be surprised at how much stress clutter and disorganization can cause.
10. Exercise every day to avoid the pitfall of a sedentary lifestyle. Walking at lunch is a good way to get in that recommended 30 minutes of exercise a day.  Not only does walking help manage stress it also elevates your disposition and could help you reach or maintain your ideal weight.
11. Watch out for the perfectionism trap by knowing that you may not be able to do everything perfectly. You may surprise yourself with results actually better than you expected with the pressure to be perfect turned off.
12. Do something you enjoy.  Doing little things for yourself can help ease stress.  A small piece of good chocolate, listening to music on the drive home, reading a good book, taking nap, or just doing nothing can go a long way to help reduce stress in your life.

Try a few of these stress relief tips and see how far they will take you on your paralegal career path and in your personal life. 

Mississippi Paralegal