Feel Good Law

Many attorneys went to law school because they "love" the law or they wanted to "help" people. Let's face it... that love and desire to help others doesn't pay the bills. After graduation many new lawyers are facing student loan payments that handcuff them to private practice and strip away all the feel good qualities that many of us were seeking and dreaming of when we left law school.

The down and dirty is that we all need to generate revenue and it seems the more revenue that we generate, the more hands that are in the pot! There is no time to feel good about helping people and the obligatory pro bono work gets boiled down to a few hours from the most junior associate - and likely least experienced and perhaps least competent... c'mon we have all looked back at the first few assignments and wondered why we weren't fired on the spot.

Getting to the point, we trudge in to the grind everyday and have forgotten the shining spark of why we are there. I don't know about your world, but mine has been really altered by this energy BS of 2012... I can best characterize it as turbulent. I cannot waste another second on things that don't matter. Every commitment and obligation I have has been reviewed by me this year. A bit of insight into my perspective shift, my father died and then my husband's best friend dropped dead at work (with my husband) and a college teammate died from cancer at the age of 38 with 2 little boys under the age of 3.... so who really gives a BLEEP how many billable hours I had! This run of funerals was one of many this year. Each time reaffirmed my new position that every move matters! Don't waste time on stupid shit.

While I would not wish this strife on anyone, it has been a rebirth in some respect. I have found my purpose and I am living it. Every morning I get out of bed and thank the angels who line my path.

Consider this:
1. Are you doing what is meaningful to you?
2. At the end of the day can you separate what you are doing from the BS you are bogged down with?
3. What are you waiting for?

I want others to feel as fulfilled as I do and know what it means to live your purpose.

Alana

alana@jalanacoaching.com