How Will You Know When You Are Successful?

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We spend a great deal of time on this website discussing strategy.
 
We look at the strategy that law firms use to help make them successful. We look at the strategy that successful attorneys employ in order to build a solid client base.  And we talk about the successful strategy that transforms a lawyer into a Rainmaker.

One thing we have not addressed, one thing that many attorneys don’t address, is the actual definition of success.
 
Success is something that only you can define.
 
For most people, money is a big part of the success equation.  Money may not be able to buy happiness but it can provide you with more options.

Here is an exercise that I do with my clients when we first begin working together.  It helps them clarify their vision of success.

This exercise may seem very simple but from simplicity often comes clarity.

You will need about 45 minutes in a quiet place with a few sheets of paper in order to complete this exercise.

When you are ready, sit down and make a list of things that answer this question:

I know I am successful when…

This list can include anything but it the answers must be phrased in the active tense.  For example:

• I know I am successful when I attend all of my son’s baseball games.
• I know when I am successful when I agree to work with a client because I want to and not because I have to.
• I know I am successful when I leave work at 4PM every Friday afternoon.

Once you have made the list and you are happy with it there is a second step.  That step is to put a plan together to make each one of those success measurements a reality.