As of today, I’ve completed my first of two law school courses in my first semester! 🎉
Earlier this morning, I uploaded my final exam memo for Legal Analysis, Writing, & Research 1 (LAWR1) into the university’s learning management system and ticked off a major item on my December 2023 list in Tana.
🚨 The Near Miss
My goal was to submit this assignment a day early but I ended up turning it in today, still well within the deadline of 11:59 PM tonight. In the midst of writing, a near-miss caught my attention. Despite thorough preparation and continuous reviews, I almost missed citing one of the four required cases in my memo. 🤦🏼♀️
❓ What saved me from losing valuable points? What’s that crucial step that can make a difference in detailed work you’re doing? It’s the practice of stepping back, taking a break, and returning with fresh eyes.
This simple yet powerful practice is one that I’ve developed over many years of practice. It enabled me to catch my oversight in time. It reminded me that it’s not just about doing the work but also about reviewing it with a clear, refreshed perspective.
After working on my memo again yesterday for several hours, I could have continued working all day. Instead, I shut the computer down and went holiday shopping with my Mom, starting hauling the (many!) decorations for her up from the basement on the farm, and watched a movie with her while enjoying a relaxing dinner.
I could have kept working on my memo all day and submitted it but I know how important this time away is so I forced myself to stay away until this morning.
This experience was a reminder to me of the importance of diligence and careful review that I wanted to share with you.
Whether it’s law school assignments or any project requiring attention to detail, taking the time to step away and then re-evaluate your work is vital. It can make all the difference in catching those small, crucial details that are easy to overlook.