Something extraordinary happened this week in Chicago: Yo Yo Ma performed three of Bach's Cello Suites to a sold out audience. It was an awesome experience, watching one of the world's greatest living musicians performing the non plus ultra of his art. What is the key to Ma's artistry, and what can law firm partners learn from him and the world's leading musical artists? Focus and discipline.

Tony Schwartz wrote about this topic in his recent Harvard Business Review article, "Manage Your Energy, Not Your Time" and also in his fantastic booked co-authored with Jim Loehr, the Power of Full Engagement. The take away for world-class law firm partners: DO NOT MULTI TASK. If you are focused on, say, reviewing documents for an upcoming deposition, focus ONLY on reviewing the documents. Do not take calls. Do not check e-mails. Even the mere act of taking 5 seconds to check your e-mail creates neural activity that decreases productivity. A truly professional law firm partner owes it to her clients, to the cause of justice, to be focused and disciplined when working on the matter. Yo Yo Ma was completely and totally focused and in the present, performing the pieces with skill, grace, and passion, just as the law firm partner does in her daily work.

Jim Loehr is Chairman, CEO and Co-founder of the Human Performance Institute. Check out the Human Performance Institute's free "Self Profile" performance analysis for more information.

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