Dear Readers,
As the year comes to an end, you know I like to give advice about how to handle the new year. Well, this year is no different. Both you and your clients have had some real difficult times and some very unique challenges this past year. Between the stock market behavior , job problems and the election debacle, doom and gloom has run rampant. Many lawyers have suffered significant disruption of their businesses as clients and employers try to keep their heads above water.
Now, some of the experts tell us that the recession has turned around. Other experts tell us that there is more disruption to come as the government goes crazy.Whatever happens, guess what? WE STILL ALL HAVE THAT PIECE OF PAPER THAT SAYS WE ARE LAWYERS! Most people in the world don’t have that piece of paper. We have infinite possibilities to use that piece of paper to not only provide us with a living but to give us job satisfaction as well.
In line with that thinking, for many of you it may well be time to review your work situation and make decisions about how you might want to change your practice in the coming year. Take a minute and do a quite survey about your present career situation by answering the following questions:
- Am I making enough money to cover my business and personal expenses?
- Am I making enough money to fund my retirement account each month?
- Do I like to go to work each day?
- Do I like the people I work with?
- Do I like most all of my clients?
- Can I get my work done in 40-50 hours a week?
- Do I have enough time for my family each day?
- Do I exercise enough?
- Am I eating a healthy diet?
- Am I taking enough classes to keep up to date in my practice areas?
- Do I often feel lonely?
- Do I have mentors?
- Do I play and have fun on a regular basis?
OK, OK, you get the idea. If you answered NO to a lot of these questions, then you need to start on your New Year’s resolutions early. Think of change ( which is scary) as MORPHING. Morph yourself into a more fulfilling career.
How do you do this? Look at the “nos” above. Now decide one thing you could do today to start changing that answer to a “yes”. Some people call that shifting your outlook. Yes, it takes work and focus but its certainly better than being whiny ( you know I hate that) and depressed. Call me. I’d love to discuss 2017 with you.
Wishing you all a glorious and prosperous New Year…..