The last two weeks of have been filled with activity. I just finished a VERY intensive VIP Business Intensive with a young lawyer who is going to soar in his business. (More to come they may be speaking opportunities for all my VIP Business Clients.) We’ve now started our 120 day accountability program to keep him “on the straight and narrow”. In addition, I’ve had several calls from New York based lawyers who although in different stages in their practice have the same concerns: finding the right clients and managing not one but two businesses. The time/productivity issue keeps showing up with all clients and prospects. So here’s a refresher I’ve written several blog posts about Dr. S. Covey masterpiece on 7 Habits of Highly Effective People,” but its worth reminding my readers. Time to sharpen the skill set.
Here is how YOU might use the 7 Habits:
Habit 1: Be Proactive: Take responsibility for your own success and fulfillment and focused on things within your control rather than things outside your control. This also means getting out of the famous lawyer ‘overwhelm, complexity and how’. Get help.
Habit 2: Begin with the End in Mind: What is your definition of long-term success? Ask: Where would you like to be in your career five years from now? 20 years from now? If you can’t see that far ahead, think short term 1 year/3 years from now.
Habit 3: Put First Things First: Focus on your priorities. (This is easier said than done, especially in age of distractions) You might get off track, but if you have identified your priorities, you know when you are off track and will be better able to get back on track.
Habit 4: Think Win-Win: Be generous, share and celebrate. There is plenty of business for everyone. Build your karmic bank account. You don’t know who will step up and help you.
Habit 5: Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood: Learn to ask better questions and be fully present. Translation: no checking emails on handheld devices. Nobody like to be in a conversation when the other party is looking around to see who else is around.
Habit 6: Synergize: Build your team within your firm if you run you’re own practice delegate and get the right help. As smart as lawyers are some of them really do think they can get it all DONE. Absolutely they can but it will lead to burn out. That is for certain.
Habit 7: Sharpen the Saw: The day you finished the Bar Exam and got your first job as an associate you might have thought your learning was complete. Learning is a life long process. Do something each and every day that enables you to be a better lawyer and learn how to better serve your clients. By doing this you will be more in control and charge of your career.
Find time each week to sharpen your skill set, this is a process it does not happen overnight. If there is a pressing question regarding your law firm, feel free to call me directly at (646) 763-1409 for a consultation. Its a choice: to remain stuck or move forward.
