There wasn't a week that went by in the 39 years of my law practice that I did not learn something new - - not only something new, but something new and valuable.
These were little hints, suggestions and tidbits that they did not teach in law school, or that I did not learn from my associates. These were lessons learned from the "school of hard knocks." I learned them the "hard way" - - through personal experience - - sometimes at a "cost" (to me, not a client).
To avoid learning the same "lesson" twice, early on in my practice, I created a notebook which I labeled "Lessons Learned." Hardly a week went by that I did not enter something new in that special notebook. It was not that I was so ignorant that I had a lot to learn; rather, it was just that - in the practice of law - there are continually lessons to be learned and things to continually keep in mind.
As the years went on - - 39 of them for me, that notebook got thicker and thicker. I kept it close at hand. I glanced through that notebook every week. Several time each year, I would take the time to read it thoroughly cover-to-cover.
That notebook was not for others to read; it was personal to ME. It contained lessons that I felt I had to learn, and continually remember.
That notebook not only helped be to become a better lawyer, but kept me out of problems - - pproblems that could have resulted in the type of difficulties that I continually discuss with my lawyer coaching clients today.
The practice of law is very unforgiving. Errors and mistakes have no place in today's practice and will weed out the bad from the good lawyers - - oftentimes at great expense to the former.
Comments