10 Networking Tips for Building Relationships as a Legal Consultant
Consultant Magazine
10 Networking Tips for Building Relationships as a Legal Consultant
In the competitive world of legal consulting, building strong professional relationships is crucial for success. This article presents expert-backed strategies for effective networking, tailored specifically for legal consultants. From implementing innovative project management techniques to leveraging cutting-edge tools, these insights will help consultants streamline their work and forge lasting connections in the legal industry.
- Implement the 3-3-3 Method for Project Management
- Tackle Small Tasks Immediately to Prevent Accumulation
- Use Time Blocks for Focused Client Work
- Treat Projects as Mini-Initiatives in a Portfolio
- Establish Systems and Processes for Efficiency
- Focus on End Goals and Set Clear Boundaries
- Build Systems That Do the Heavy Lifting
- Designate Specific Hours for Each Project
- Utilize Project Management Tools Like Asana
- Apply Theme Day Strategy for Task Organization
Implement the 3-3-3 Method for Project Management
When managing several consulting projects, it is easy to fall into the trap of thinking everything is urgent. I have experienced it myself, often working through weekends and eventually burning out.
I recently adopted a more structured approach to manage my workload more effectively: the 3-3-3 method. Since then, I have felt much less overwhelmed and can better focus where it matters.
Each day, I:
* Set aside 3 to 4 uninterrupted hours for one important client task that moves a project forward in a meaningful way.
* Tackle 3 smaller tasks I have been putting off, which helps to keep all projects ticking along without hidden delays.
* Complete 3 maintenance activities such as updating trackers, replying to stakeholders, or completing internal reporting, to keep day-to-day operations under control.
Rather than trying to fit more into the day, the 3-3-3 approach helps me manage my energy, stay clear on priorities, and deliver consistently across multiple clients. It is making a real difference in preventing overload, maintaining high standards, and protecting the balance needed for long-term success.
Myriam Tisler, www.myriamtisler.com
Thank you for considering my contribution. If possible, I would really appreciate a do-follow backlink to my website, either the homepage https://www.myriamtisler.com or the change management articles section if that fits better. I am working to increase my website's domain authority and would happily promote the article across my channels once it goes live.
Tackle Small Tasks Immediately to Prevent Accumulation
One of the best pieces of advice that has worked for me is simple yet powerful: If a task can be completed in less than five minutes, do it immediately. Procrastination often turns minor tasks into unnecessary burdens, and addressing them right away prevents accumulation. Additionally, when relying on others for information, it is crucial to respond promptly. Ensuring that the responsibility to act always rests with the other party helps maintain momentum and prevents unnecessary delays.
To stay organized, I maintain a single-view to-do list for all my projects, prioritizing tasks daily. As soon as a task is completed, I mark it accordingly, ensuring clarity and efficiency in tracking progress. Another transformative habit is identifying the time of day when I am most productive and dedicating it to focused work. Setting aside designated "Focus Hours" in my calendar has significantly enhanced my efficiency, enabling me to accomplish tasks with heightened productivity and precision. These small yet effective strategies have yielded remarkable results, allowing me to optimize my workflow and achieve high levels of productivity.
Keep in mind that this is a journey, and there are no shortcuts to success. Be patient, take the necessary time, and strive for excellence from the start.
Use Time Blocks for Focused Client Work
One tip that has saved me from burning out while managing multiple consulting projects is setting project-specific time blocks on my calendar. Instead of jumping between clients all day, I dedicate chunks of time to each one—for example, "Client A: 9 to 11 a.m., Client B: 1 to 3 p.m." This structure helps me stay focused and avoids the mental fatigue of context-switching.
I also use a priority system based on urgency versus impact. If something is both time-sensitive and important, it gets top priority. However, I don't let the "loudest email wins" approach take over my day—everything goes through that lens. Additionally, I plan tomorrow's top three tasks the night before, which gives me clarity before I even open my inbox.
For balance, I stick to a firm stop time in the evening, even if I'm not "done." The work is never truly finished, but my energy needs to be replenished if I want to stay sharp for the long run. Boundaries are the only reason I can juggle it all without resenting it.
Treat Projects as Mini-Initiatives in a Portfolio
Managing multiple projects simultaneously can be overwhelming, but one trick I've found is to treat each like a mini-initiative within a broader portfolio—aligning timelines, resources, and stakeholder expectations with precision.
As a project manager at a credit union, I've learned to prioritize tasks using a mix of urgency-impact matrices and calendar blocking, ensuring that high-impact work gets uninterrupted focus.
To maintain a healthy work-life balance, I treat my personal life with the same intentionality—planning quality time, self-care, and even meals like project milestones!
Hobbies like spending time in nature and painting watercolors are my decompression tools; they keep me grounded and recharge my creativity for the workweek ahead.
Establish Systems and Processes for Efficiency
Managing multiple consulting projects comes down to having the right systems and processes in place—period. I don't rely on memory or messy to-do lists. I use a combination of project timelines, client dashboards, and automated check-ins to keep everything moving. Each project has a clear workflow, so I'm not reinventing the wheel every time. I also batch my days—certain days are for client work, others for strategy or content creation—so I'm not constantly switching gears. Prioritization is about impact: I focus on the tasks that move the needle, not the ones that feel urgent. And for work-life balance? I set boundaries like it's my job—because it is. I've learned that the more disciplined I am about my schedule, the more freedom I create for my business and personal life.
Focus on End Goals and Set Clear Boundaries
Absolutely, balancing multiple projects is all about staying organized and clear on priorities. One of the best tips I can share is to focus on the end goal for each project. I always break down the big picture into smaller, actionable tasks and ensure each task is aligned with the ultimate objective. This helps me avoid feeling overwhelmed by the complexity of handling different projects at once. Prioritizing is about understanding which tasks will have the biggest impact on progress and tackling those first. I regularly assess how things are tracking and adjust my approach if needed.
As for work-life balance, it's crucial to set boundaries. I find it important to schedule time for myself--whether it's for exercise, a hobby, or just downtime. Being proactive about carving out personal time actually makes me more efficient when I'm working, because I'm not burning out. So, managing multiple projects is really about structure, knowing where to focus energy, and recognizing the value of stepping back to recharge. That way, you keep the quality high across all projects while staying sane in the process!
Build Systems That Do the Heavy Lifting
Managing multiple consulting projects at once is both an art and a discipline—something I've had to refine over the years as Nerdigital grew and client demands scaled. If I had to distill it into one tip, it would be this: build systems that do the heavy lifting for you, so your mind can stay focused on creative and strategic thinking.
Early on, I found myself juggling priorities, constantly context-switching, and burning out. What changed the game for me was shifting from a reactive mindset to a systems-first approach. Every project we take on is mapped into a standardized framework—clear timelines, defined scopes, communication protocols, and a centralized dashboard where my team and I can see exactly where everything stands in real time. It's not about micromanaging tasks; it's about creating a rhythm that keeps things moving without chaos.
Prioritization, for me, comes down to impact and urgency. I start each week reviewing all projects with my leadership team, asking: where can our attention generate the highest leverage? What are the mission-critical items that will drive the most momentum for our clients? That lens helps cut through noise and focus our energy where it matters.
But the other side of this—just as important—is protecting your time and mental clarity. As a founder and consultant, it's easy to glorify overwork. I've learned to be intentional about creating space: blocking off hours in the day when I'm unreachable, taking regular breaks to recharge, and being present with family and friends when I'm off the clock. That balance isn't just for mental health—it actually makes me sharper, more decisive, and more creative when I'm working.
You can't scale excellence if you're always sprinting. You need margin, not just to manage your projects—but to lead them well. That's been the biggest shift for me, and it's the reason we've been able to grow without losing quality or burning out along the way.
Designate Specific Hours for Each Project
What works for me is designating certain hours of the day or days of the week for each project. For fast-moving projects, I will often work on each one for 2 hours per day; for slower-moving projects, I might designate Monday and Wednesday for Project A, and Tuesday and Thursday for Project B. I DO keep up with emails each day whether it is "their day" or not. I maintain work-life balance by NEVER giving clients my personal cell phone number; they can only reach me during office hours via my office phone number. I also refuse to put my work email (or theirs, if the client requests that I get on their email client) on my personal cell phone. When I am in the office, I am at work, and when I am not working, I am NOT reachable.
Utilize Project Management Tools Like Asana
One crucial tip for effectively managing multiple consulting projects simultaneously is to implement a robust project management system and adhere to it religiously. For us at SIXGUN, we rely heavily on Asana. This allows us to visualize all active projects, break them down into individual tasks with clear deadlines and assigned team members, and track progress in real-time. Having this central overview is essential for staying organized and preventing tasks from being overlooked across different client engagements.
Prioritizing tasks involves a few key steps. Firstly, we assess the urgency and impact of each task, focusing on deadlines and those that directly contribute to client goals and deliverables. Secondly, we factor in team capacity and allocate resources accordingly within Asana. Finally, maintaining a healthy work-life balance, which is paramount for our team's well-being and sustained performance, involves setting realistic deadlines, clearly communicating workload expectations, and encouraging the team to utilize time-blocking techniques and take regular breaks. We also promote a culture where taking time off is genuinely supported, ensuring everyone can recharge and avoid burnout while effectively managing their project responsibilities.
Apply Theme Day Strategy for Task Organization
There are many strategies one could take to balance multiple projects, and one of them is to use the Theme Day Strategy. To do this, you assign specific themes to each day of the week based on the type of work or projects you focus on.
For example, you could allocate Mondays for strategic planning, Tuesdays for client meetings, Wednesdays for complex tasks, Thursdays for administrative tasks, and Fridays for creative brainstorming and reflection.
This approach will help you maintain focus and reduce the mental fatigue of constantly switching between different types of tasks.
For maintaining a healthy work-life balance, try taking micro-breaks and utilizing mindfulness practices throughout your day. Take short breaks for stretching, deep breathing, or a quick walk to refresh and rejuvenate your mind and body. You can also maintain and sustain energy throughout the day by eating fruit and nuts and ensuring you remain hydrated.
