Do you have a training gap or blind spots in your training? Most legal professionals do not believe they are behind, and that includes me.

I took the advice of my eMentor and the author of this blog, Doug Austin, to heart. Committing to at least 12 minutes a day is a realistic and powerful goal for all legal professionals. Previously, Doug was kind enough to publish a my two‑part blog series (here and here) that blended his advice with concepts from the influential book Make It Stick: The Science of Successful Learning. by Brown, Roediger, and McDaniel (2014), published by Belknap Press of Harvard University Press.

The work gets done. Deadlines are met. Clients are supported. Over time, that constant forward motion creates a quiet confidence that everything is fine. But confidence deserves a closer look.

Is it grounded in understanding, or is it simply momentum?

In areas like legal technology, eDiscovery, and privacy, it is easy to miss changes as they happen—not because we lack ability, but because our days are full. We repeat workflows that worked last year and often do not notice when small gaps begin to form.

That is where intentional self‑evaluation becomes important.

Learning often happens only when a problem forces it. A deadline. A blown search. A production issue. Reactive learning solves the moment but rarely changes the system. Sustainable growth comes from short, deliberate pauses that help us see what we do well and what might need attention before something breaks.

That idea sits at the center of The 12 Minute Habit. Learning does not require big blocks of time. It requires consistency. A few focused minutes create awareness, and awareness leads to confidence built on understanding rather than assumption.

If you want a place to start, keep it simple:

• Block twelve minutes on your calendar a few days this week.
• Choose one tool, process, or topic you already use.
• Read one article, watch one short video, or test one feature.
• Write down one sentence about what stood out.
• Share one idea with a colleague or team chat.

Small actions, repeated over time, have a way of revealing gaps before they become problems.

Equally important is asking the right questions:

• What task do I perform often that I could not easily explain to someone else?
• Which tool do I use daily without fully understanding its settings or risks?
• When was the last time I learned something new before an issue appeared?
• Could I teach this process clearly in five minutes?
• What assumption about my workflow has gone untested?

If any of those questions create discomfort, that is not a bad thing. It is often the first signal that learning is doing its job.

That is why the SDPA Virtual Lunch with Leaders on Friday, April 10, 2026 at noon Pacific will be worth your time. This conversation with Doug Austin is not about selling a solution or adding pressure. It is about creating space to reflect, compare notes, and reset learning habits in a way that fits real legal work.

Sometimes the most valuable insight is realizing what we have not been looking at yet.

Friday, April 10 at noon PDT is a good time to start

Disclaimer: The views represented herein are exclusively the views of the authors and speakers themselves, and do not necessarily represent the views held by my employer, my partners or my clients. eDiscovery Today is made available solely for educational purposes to provide general information about general eDiscovery principles and not to provide specific legal advice applicable to any particular circumstance. eDiscovery Today should not be used as a substitute for competent legal advice from a lawyer you have retained and who has agreed to represent you.