Practicing Law Sucks

Attitude - - the "critical component"

The longer we coach lawyers - the more lawyers we meet - the more complaints we hear about the practice of law (from lawyers), the more we realize that ATTITUDE is the "critical component" that makes the difference.

If you (seasoned lawyers) can remember back to those days when you first became a lawyer and were "wet behind the ears," you felt that you could conquer the world.  No case was too difficult; no legal barrier was an impossibility --only a challenge; and no client was too obnoxious to deal with.  What changed over the years?

Our answer (derived from many years in the practice, and now as coaches to lawyers) is "attitude."  It seems that lawyers' attitudes change over the years - - and not for the better.

Perhaps, the practice of law is somewhat like "secondhand smoke" (which can cause one to get sick just by being around others who smoke).  The practice of law, if one does not possess the right attitude, and "beat one down," if they let it.

Many articles and books are written on the theme that one of the greatest powers in the universe is individual POWER OF CHOICE...and, that the most powerful choices are POSITIVE choices.

In typical situations, you have two choices...

• you can choose to be in a good mood, or
• you can choose to be in a bad mood.

If one accepts the foregoing statement as a truism, then why would a person (in this case, a lawyer) ever choose to be in a bad mood?  Or, why would an individual choose to be a victim in a difficult situation?  The more positive choice would be to choose to learn from the situation.

When you (as a lawyer) have had the "worst day ever," why let that ruin the rest of your day?  That only compounds the situation.

When you have just been beaten down by an overbearing adversary, why allow that situation to sour your opinion about the practice of law?  Rather, why not choose to take that experience "with a grain of salt, and learn from it.

When you have just had an hour with the "client from Hell," why give that experience (or that client) the satisfaction of negatively impacting your disposition?  Instead, why not choose to smile and say (to yourself), "It is his/her problem, not mine!"

Life is all about choices.  When you cut away all the junk, every situation is a choice.  You choose how you react to situations.  You choose how people will affect your mood,  You choose to be in a good mood or bad.

True, changing (or controlling) one's attitude is not easy; but, it is possible.

...and, if this "change of attitude" can improve your day - - if it can improve your career - - if it can improve your life (because, like secondhand smoke, too much negativity will, indeed, get you down, if not get you sick), why not give it a try?

Give your mind a rest - - - Get a Hobby !

Many (if not, most) lawyers work 10-16 hours a day, 6+ days a week (including weekends).  They then take work home to do after hours.  They take work when on vacation (if they take a vacation).  They even thinkabout their work when at social gatherings, when at the theater, when in Church - - ALL THE TIME.

No wonder their mind goes on "over-load."  They get "burned out."  Or, they think about switching to some other career.

An antidote to this is to GET A HOBBY !

Hobbies have the magical ability to focus your entire attention on the hobby endeavor, and away from your work - - thus, giving your mind a brief respite - - not to mention that a hobby is also "fun"  (something many lawyers have too little of).

It is common sense that mechanical engines will "burn out" (self-destruct) if they are run constantly without a break or, in many cases, without lubrication.  A hobby is that "break" and "lubrication" for the consistent serious professional.

It does not seem to make a difference what hobby one selects as long as it is something that one truly enjoys and can do on a frequent basis.  So, for example, even if one says that they enjoy their hobby of playing golf, but they only play golf once every couple of months, that will not do.  One needs a hobby that they can turn to on a frequent basis - - particularly when they feel as though the "walls are caving in."

A good book is a GREAT ESCAPE !

Admittedly, most of us (lawyers) are under a great deal of stress !

We continually deal with interruptions.  Our days rarely go as scheduled.

Our clients benefit from our efforts, but rarely express their appreciation.

Our adversaries want to go for our jugular.

...and, if we are Litigators, need I say more?

Experts say that continual, extreme, unrelenting pressure (stress) not only leads to fatigue, but also to more serious physical and mental ailments.

One of the many antidotes to such circumstances is a "good book."

Most of us read our share of law-related periodicals, bar journals and even legal newspapers.  But, how many of us lean back in our (desk) chair for a few minutes to read a good (fiction or non-fiction, but certainly a non-law-related) book in the course of a stressful day?

Taking a few brief minutes to read a good book - - having NOTHING whatsoever to do with our legal profession, came make a world of difference in our day.  It is like a "vacation" for our mind - - a "great escape" from our daily grind.

Statistics show that...

• less than 20% of adults with a grade-school education read literature;
• 54% of the American population never reads a book over 400 pages after they complete their formal education;
• 73% of the all books in libraries are never checked out;
• the average American annually spends 10 times more on what they put ON their heads than what they put INTO their heads;
• if you read just one book per month for 12 straight months, you will be in the top 25 percentile of all intellectuals in the world;
• if you read 5 books on one subject, you are one of the world's foremost leading authorities on that subject;
• and, if you read just 15 minutes a day - every day, for 1 year, you can complete 20 books.

As Benjamin Franklin said, "The doors of wisdom are never shut."

So, in addition to saving your sanity by reading a good book a few minutes a day - on those "difficult days," you will also become a lot smarter in the subject of your choice.

Can a Leopard change its spots? ....possibly !

So, at your Firm's last Annual Meeting you were voted "Biggest Jerk" !

Some in the firm wanted to use a stronger (non-legal) term. 

If things don't change, that other term will be used for you after the next Firm Survey.

In your weaker moments, you admit (to yourself, of course) that those in the firm have you pegged as having a negative attitude.  You know that they're right.  Even your wife and kids tell you as much.  Your friends might not, but you know what they are thinking under their breath.

You often wonder, "Is there anything I can do to change?"

The answer is, "YES."  Change is possible - - possibly, but not easy.

Attitudes can be changed.  Responses can be changed.  People can undergo complete transformations of character SOMETIMES.  If you are DETERMINED to revamp your attitude, here are a few things to keep in mind according to The Six Success Strategies for Winning at Life, Love & Business, by Wolf J. Rinke:

1. Attitudes are not something we are born with.  They are created, which means they can be recreated as well.
2. Attitudes are infectious.  Try to spend time around people who have good attitudes and who make you feel good.  When you are around a positive person, you will feel energized - - not robbed.
3. Try to start your day on a positive note.  It might feel phony at first, but it will become second nature if you keep at it.  Possibly start each day with giving someone a small compliment.
4. Greet people as if you are genuinely happy to see them - - then try to think of reasons why you are genuinely happy to see them.
5. Instead of heading straight for defensive mode and expecting the worst out of others, reverse the process and try expecting the best out of everyone.
6. Don't be so hard on yourself.  Throw your perfectionism out.  It won't do you a bit of good and will likely make you seem like a grouch since you are essentially setting yourself up for failure because no one is perfect.

...then, perhaps (just, perhaps), at the Firm's next Annual Meeting you may be voted "Most Re-Invented Person of the Year" !