Law Firm Marketing: Most Attorneys are Sheep

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If we commissioned a study of 100 people at the start of their working careers and followed them for 40 years until they reached retirement age, we would find the following (according to the Social Security Administration): 

• Only 1 person will be wealthy;
• 4 will be financially secure;
• 5 will continue working, not because they want to but because they have to;
• 36 will be dead; and
• 54 will be flat broke - bankrupt…

That’s 5% successful and 95% unsuccessful.

The numbers listed above just about perfectly mirror the attorney population in the United States.

If we looked at a random sample of 100 attorneys, in any practice area, in any location, we would find:

• 54 Attorneys struggling to pay their monthly bills;
• 36 Lawyers with substance abuse issues, mental illness or stress-related disorders;
• 5 Attorneys who make enough to pay the bills but not enough to save for retirement;
• 4 Lawyers with nice homes, comfortable lives and money in the bank; and
• 1 Attorney pulling in big bucks, fueled by passion and living life to the fullest

Do you wonder what it takes to be in the top 5%? Are these people lucky?  Did they stumble into the ideal situation?  Were they born into an already successful firm?

In truth, getting into that top five percent of the population is about common sense not birthright.

There is one thing successful people know that makes all the difference.   This is something I learned at an early stage of my career.  This one key element of success can be summed up in four words:

DON’T BE A SHEEP

Simply put, don’t follow the crowd.  Don’t do what everyone else does.  Don’t listen to conventional wisdom.  Don’t follow industry norms.

Average people blend in with the herd and they get average results.

Think about this within the context of your own circle of colleagues.

How many attorneys do you know who:

• Keep in touch with past clients?
• Write articles and have them published in     trade journals (in their clients’ industries)?
• Speak at a minimum of six conventions or group     meetings each year?
• Selflessly provide referrals to colleagues     (for no fee)?
• Bill their clients based upon value provided (not by the hour)?
• Publish a printed MONTHLY newsletter?
• Set long-term, annual and monthly goals?
• Follow a daily to-do list?
• Attend networking events with a focus on a     desired outcome?
• Collect the bulk of their fees before the     resolution of the client matter?

Attorneys who meet these conditions are likely to be in the top 5% of the population in terms of income, job satisfaction and lifestyle. 

The sheep will tell you that these things are difficult, unnecessary, ineffective and stupid. The sheep may have even tried some of them, once, with little success.   The sheep want others to remain part of the flock because sheep love company.  Seeing others in the same predicament, hanging around waiting to be sheared, makes the sheep feel comfortable.

You have a choice.  You can keep milling around, bumping into others, eating when someone throws something into the troth and stepping in sheep poop…or you can shed your sheepskin and take control of your destiny.

Think about it:

Can you benefit from more time with your family and friends?

Does making more money while working less hours sound appealing?

Would you like to become a recognized expert in your area of the law?

Could you enjoy having others do all the mundane tasks that currently fill your days?

Have you ever dreamed of firing a problem client (without worrying about the financial implications)?

If you answered YES to any of these questions, visit:  http://www.HowDaveWorks.com and then give me a call:  888.692.5531

Or would you rather be a sheep?