For those of us who enjoy deep abstract challenges, routine tasks like filling out forms, completing documents and other process-driven tasks are excruciatingly tedious. Becoming deeply involved in solving a mathematics problem or reading a deep analysis of a historical event is so engaging that mundane tasks, by contrast, become repugnant.
During my years of work in various occupations, I have discovered some techniques for completing tedious tasks. For example, to organize a conference, I would make a list of all the things that needed to be done, such as the selection of a theme, the list of speakers, promotional procedures, selecting the location, arranging for technology, etc. Then I would tackle only one item on that list per day, allotting fewer than 3 hours to that task, and allotting the rest of the day to the creative and engaging activities in my work. The next day, I would tackle another item on the list of routine tasks, and so on. Within a few weeks, the conference arrangements would be essentially completed. I followed a similar process to apply for funds to create a computer center for a large school board, and within a few months, construction had begun.
For years, I developed a process for dealing with what I call “ugly tasks.” These are mind-numbing jobs that go with every occupation. Before going home at the end of the day, I would list in order from “ugliest” to “least ugly” the tasks I needed to accomplish the next day. Then, on arrival at work the next morning I would complete the “ugliest” task before coffee break and reward myself with a coffee when the task was completed. Once all the tasks were completed I would allow myself the luxury of doing something creative or engaging.
Assuming that you’re going into a career in law, you can maximize your satisfaction by choosing a branch of law that you find engaging and somewhat challenging. Over time, you can build a practice and hire junior lawyers to do a lot of the routine, process-driven tasks. That will free you to contribute in an area most suited to your intellectual talents.
