Up until this point, you may have measured your day in 55 minute blocks (a class) or 30 to 60 minute blocks ( television shows). Now, you'll measure time in .1 (or 6 minute) blocks of time. Get ten .1's and you'll have an hour, get nine 1.0's and you'll have a day, reach 80000.00 and presto, a career!
Time sheets differ depending upon your employment. Some firms demand minute detail for every entry:
.1 letter to client re: OSHA documents needed for responding to Plaintiff's 11/7/05 Supplemental Demand for D&I;
Others may require only:
.1 letter to client re: documents.
For larger projects, time sheets can come very near equaling humanities finest, most beautiful works of art. For instance, a partner once described my time sheet on a motion for summary judgment as, "easily surpassing the heights attained by Michelangelo or Donatello. I actually cried when I read it and it still haunts me."
As a new associate, your time sheet will make or break you. Craftsmanship is important.
Sample time sheet for new associate, week 5:
.3 - Drank three large coffees
.1 - Urinate
.1 - Letter to client re: Deposition dates
.1 - Receive and review letter from Plaintiff's attorney re: extension to respond to discovery
.1 - Urinate
.2 - Renew senior partner's subscription to Juggs Magazine for Gentlemen
.1 - Urinate
.1 - Make pot of coffee
.7 - Review NYT's On-Line
.2 - Check box scores
.8 - Re-arrange office
1.3 - Phone call from college friend
.2 - Spill coffee/clean up spill
.2 - Conference with partner re: upping billable hours
1.1 - Internet search re: untraceable handguns/murder for hire
1.2 - Phone call to student loan company re: deferment (1.1 for hold time)
.1 - Phone call from student loan company/ no on deferment
.9 - Research help-wanted ads/part-time work
.1 - Resolve to bill more than required time in order to make partner
.8 - Get high score in on-line Tetrus tournament
.2 - Conf/ office manager re: bill for Big Beautiful Women downloads
.8 - Conf with other assoc re: how much work you have
