"You are not stuck where you are unless you decide to be."

-Wayne Dyer

Do you ever feel stuck where you are?

Are you ever frustrated with where you are in your career?

Do you ever wish to be doing something different?

What do you dream of doing professionally if you had your wish?

Many of us feel stuck. We dream of doing something different. We have a vision of transforming our lives in some way. But change is scary, isn’t it?

In the dynamic world of law, change is inevitable and a driving force behind progress and innovation. Yet, you may resist change, clinging to familiar routines and practices. You may need to realize that embracing change is not just about keeping up with the times; it's about unlocking the transformative power that can propel your career to new heights to a place of success, fulfillment, and freedom. In this blog, we'll explore the profound impact of embracing change in your legal career and how you can harness this power to achieve personal and professional growth.

Why Should You Embrace the Transformative Power of Change?

There are two main reasons: professional growth and personal fulfillment.

Embracing change can lead to significant professional growth. By stepping out of your comfort zone and embracing new challenges, you can expand your skills, knowledge, and expertise, ultimately advancing your career. All too often, we are somehow unhappy with where we are professionally. We may not like the kind of work we are doing, the people we are working with, the clients we are representing, the money we are making, the lack of independence or autonomy, or some other characteristic. In some way, our career is not satisfying to us. We want to grow, do something different, and be more responsible for our existence. You can grow professionally when you are open to the transformative power of change. You can develop the career you always dreamed of. You do not have to be where you are doing what you are doing. You can be the successful lawyer you always dreamed of.

The second reason is personal fulfillment. Embracing change can lead to personal fulfillment and a sense of accomplishment. Taking control of your career and actively seeking new growth and development opportunities can be empowering. All too often, we do not find what we do professionally to be fulfilling. We entered the field of law of the be of service to help clients solve their problems. But somewhere along the way, we lost that focus. What would you like to be doing? Who would you like to be representing? What would you find most fulfilling in the practice of law? What sets you on fire?

If you are open to change, you can achieve professional growth and personal fulfillment you never thought possible. Overall, embracing the transformative power of change can lead to professional success, personal satisfaction, and a more effective and innovative legal practice.

My Four Transformations

I have encountered four significant transformations in my professional and personal career, each of which has improved my life significantly.

Becoming a Trial Lawyer. When I graduated from law school, I was blessed to be at the top of my class and secured a coveted position as a clerk in the United States District Court for the District of Maryland. It was a fantastic experience. I could have gone to any firm I chose, but I returned to the same small firm where I clerked in law school instead of one of the larger, more prestigious ones. After being there for several years and passionately wanting to be a trial lawyer, I realized it was the wrong place. I secured a position in a highly-regarded litigation boutique firm and moved there three years into my career. I have been with that firm ever since. I learned the fine points of trying a case successfully from one of the best lawyers in the State of Maryland. As a result, my law career changed dramatically for the better.

Sober in Recovery. Sadly and unfortunately, early in my career, I was powerless over alcohol. I could not control when I drank or how much. I could not stop when I wanted to. I was genuinely powerless, and it affected my life in many terrible ways. After I had a powerfully sad experience at my son’s birthday party, where I suffered an alcoholic blackout, I opened my mind to enter a program of recovery. I was full of fear and trepidation. But my life has never been the same since. I have now enjoyed over 32 years of continuous sobriety. More than that, I have learned how to live life on life’s terms, accept challenges, and live a life of patience, acceptance, and tolerance.

Family Law. In the first 30 years of my career, I primarily did litigation insurance defense, mainly in the transportation industry. I defended truck drivers and trucking companies in severe personal injury cases. I enjoyed it and was very good at what I did. However, it could have been more fulfilling. I represented my client because he had an insurance policy with a particular company. He often did not want to cooperate, and I did not even know him on a personal level. There was a certain emptiness and artificiality to it all. I decided to do something more fulfilling and personal,  where I could seriously help people improve their lives. I decided to reinvent myself as a family law attorney. I handled serious divorce and custody cases. I helped my clients walk through fear, anger, hurt, guilt, and uncertainty to create a life that brought them joy and satisfaction. I received handwritten notes from my clients thanking me for my dedication and commitment to them. This work was personally fulfilling and professionally rewarding.

Mentor to Attorneys. After 45 years of practicing law, I became increasingly aware of how challenging our profession is. I saw the stress and overwhelm that so many lawyers experience. I saw some struggle with addiction, health problems, dissatisfaction, and anxiety. After arguing with lawyers for 45 years, it became my passion to wrap my arms around him and support them. I started my newsletter on Linkedin and have over 3000 subscribers. I began my podcast, The Free Lawyer, and now have recorded 200 episodes. I released my first book, Breaking Free- A Guide to Achieveing Personal and Professional Freedom as a Lawyer. But most important of all, I began mentoring lawyers. I could see their growth and change in my personalized and confidential coaching sessions. Individual coaching is the most fulfilling work I’ve ever done.

As I look back on my life, these four significant transformations demonstrate how powerful change can be. I left the firm to pursue my dream of being a highly skilled trial attorney. I surrendered to my alcoholism and sought recovery, freeing me from the prison of addiction. I found a more fulfilling practice when I entered family law as my primary focus. More recently, I have given back to the profession and, more than that, felt tremendous fulfillment by helping and supporting lawyers, helping them create a vision of success and achieve it.

Why do I share the stories? Each of these changes was scary and difficult at the time. I felt fear about changing the course of my life. But each of those changes made my life beautiful, successful, and fulfilling.

What Are the Biggest Hurdles That Can Prevent a Lawyer From Embracing Change?

We all know that change takes work. These are some of the common roadblocks that many of us face that prevent us from taking that first step toward changing our careers and our lives:

1. Fear of the Unknown: Change often involves stepping into unfamiliar territory, which can be daunting for some lawyers. Fear of the unknown can prevent you from taking the necessary risks to embrace change. Are you ever afraid of taking that first step towards change?

2. Comfort with the Status Quo: Many lawyers become comfortable with the status quo and may resist change because it disrupts their routine or challenges their existing beliefs and practices. It is all too easy to stay in our comfort zone, isn’t it?

3. Risk Aversion: Lawyers are trained to mitigate risk, and you may see change as risky. This risk aversion can lead lawyers to resist change to maintain the status quo. Do you ever hesitate to take risks?

4. Overwhelm: The legal profession is demanding, and lawyers often have heavy workloads. The prospect of implementing change on top of existing responsibilities can be overwhelming, leading some lawyers to resist change. How often do you feel overwhelmed at work?

5. Lack of Support: Lawyers can embrace change more easily with the support of colleagues, mentors, or leadership. However, a lack of support can lead to feelings of isolation or uncertainty, making it harder. Do you ever feel isolated at work? Do you wish you had a mentor who could guide you through your career?

Overcoming these roadblocks requires a willingness to step outside your comfort zone, a commitment to ongoing learning and development, and a supportive environment that encourages and rewards change.

How Can a Lawyer Overcome Resistance to Change?

Embracing change can be challenging, but there are several strategies that you can use to navigate change effectively:

1. Understanding Your Fear: The first step is acknowledging that fear exists. Understand that it is a natural response to change, but it doesn't have to dictate your actions. Pinpoint what precisely about the change is causing fear. Is it fear of the unknown, fear of failure, fear of financial insecurity, or fear of losing control? Understanding the source can help you address it more effectively.

2. Challenge Negative Thoughts: Replace negative thoughts with more positive and realistic ones. Instead of thinking about everything that could go wrong, focus on the potential benefits and opportunities that change can bring. Replace the negative thoughts with a vision of success.

3. Self-Reflect: You must be willing to engage in self-reflection and introspection to identify your resistance to change and work to overcome it. Be open to feedback and willing to make changes based on that feedback. Being self-aware of your feelings about the change will help you analyze why you hesitate and how to overcome your hesitancy.

4. Develop a Clear Vision of Your Future: Having a clear vision of the desired outcome of change is crucial. What do you want to do? How will that benefit you? Why does that goal create fulfillment and success for you? You should be able to envision the benefits of change and use this vision to motivate yourself.

5. Stay Positive: Maintain a positive attitude toward change and view it as an opportunity for growth and development. You will face challenges, and you will hesitate to move forward. A positive attitude can help you approach change with curiosity and optimism.

6. Practice Self-Care: Taking care of your physical and emotional well-being can help you manage change-related stress and anxiety. Make time for activities that help you relax and recharge.

7. Focus on What You Can Control: While some aspects of change may be beyond your control, focus on what you can control. This could include your attitude, approach, and efforts to adapt to the change.

8. Seek Support: Talk to colleagues or friends who have experience with similar changes. Their insights and advice can help you feel more confident and less alone in facing change. You can use an outside mentor who has experienced similar changes and can guide you. Your mentor can help clarify your vision, build confidence, overcome resistance, and help you achieve your goals.

By taking these steps, you can overcome fear and resistance to change and embrace new opportunities for growth, success, and fulfillment.

Conclusion

You can have the practice of your dreams. You can enjoy success, fulfillment, and personal freedom. If you want more from your practice but are afraid to go for it, understand that you have the power and capability to transform your career and your life. You deserve the best.

Embracing the transformative power of change is not just about adapting to new circumstances; it's about embracing growth and seizing opportunities for personal and professional development. As lawyers, we are no strangers to change, but by approaching it with an open mind and a willingness to learn, we can not only navigate change more effectively but also thrive in the face of it. So, let us embrace change as a catalyst for transformation and the journey of growth and discovery it brings.

If you'd like to talk about how I can support you in transforming your career, you can set up a complimentary discovery call here.