John Kormanik | Time Isn’t the Problem: How Lawyers Can Rethink Productivity

John R. Kormanik, Esq., is on a mission to help attorneys reclaim their purpose, energy, and impact. As a Certified Professional Coach, former trial lawyer, and author of Break the Law: A Story of a Reimagined Career and a Reclaimed Life, John brings decades of experience from the courtroom to the coaching space. Today, he guides attorneys to say “no” to burnout and “yes” to building sustainable careers by rethinking how they approach time, energy, and leadership.

With more than 20 years of experience as a practicing attorney—including roles as Deputy Attorney General, law firm partner, and firm owner—John understands the unique pressures lawyers face. Now, through his coaching practice, he helps attorneys reengineer their mindset, optimize systems, and rediscover the joy in their work and life.

WHAT’S COVERED IN THIS EPISODE ABOUT RETHINKING PRODUCTIVITY

When it comes to productivity, most lawyers focus on managing time. John Kormanik says that’s the wrong place to start. Time isn’t the problem. The real question is how you choose to use it and where you direct your energy.

John argues that what really holds lawyers back are the stories the profession tells itself. Beliefs like “time management is the answer,” “work-life balance is possible,” or “grinding nonstop is the only path to success” become badges of honor that actually fuel burnout. He explains why challenging these myths is essential if you want to practice law in a way that lasts.

In this episode of The Lawyer’s Edge podcast, John shares a different approach. He talks about building routines you’ll actually keep, making better decisions with your 168 hours, and learning to delegate without guilt. He also explains why keeping promises to yourself and rejecting the arrival fallacy are key steps toward a practice—and a life—that feels both productive and sustainable.

2:24 – Why John says time management is a myth

4:50 – Seeing your time as worth $400,000 a minute

7:18 – Work-life balance and why it doesn’t work in practice

12:22 – The five lies lawyers often believe about work and success

18:27 – How law school and firm culture set these patterns

22:41 – What John means by “energy management”

27:37 – Why small routines create real ownership

31:47 – Moving from “I have to do it myself” to real delegation

36:40 – The question John asks before saying yes to anything

41:15 – Why asking for help shows strength, not weakness

MENTIONED IN TIME ISN’T THE PROBLEM: HOW LAWYERS CAN RETHINK PRODUCTIVITY

John Kormanik Coaching | LinkedIn

Break the Law: A Story of a Reimagined Career and a Reclaimed Life by John Kormanik

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The Lawyer's Edge

SPONSOR FOR THIS EPISODE

Today's episode is brought to you by the Ignite Women's Business Development Accelerator, a 9-month business development program created BY women lawyers for women lawyers. Ignite is a carefully designed business development program containing content, coaching, and a community of like-minded women who are committed to becoming rainmakers AND supporting the retention and advancement of other women in the profession.

If you are interested in either participating in the program or sponsoring a woman in your firm to enroll, learn more about Ignite and sign up for our registration alerts by visiting www.thelawyersedge.com/ignite.