5 Ways to Find Satisfaction in Your Law Practice

#HappierLawyer

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About MyCase

•Modern and professional design built for your firm•Social media and blog integration•Complete integration with MyCase practice management software

MyCase Websites

About Our Presenter

• Debra L. Bruce, JD, PCC

• President, Lawyer-Coach LLC

• “Coaching & training on what law

schools don’t teach about practicing

law”

• Practiced law 18 yrs - corporate &

securities, M&A

• Coaching lawyers 15 yrs

• ABA Law Practice Division – Law

Practice mag & other boards

• Served as Vice Chair, Law Practice

Management Committee of Texas Bar

Debra Bruce

5 Obstacles to Satisfaction

1. Problems in managing conflicts with other people

2. Stress from work overload and disorganization

3. Lack of sense of meaning and purpose

4. Inadequate connection and support from colleagues

5. Fixed mindset

Poll #1

Can’t count on subordinates to do it timely & right Demanding and disrespectful supervisors or peers Clients with unreasonable expectations Hostile opposing counsel

Which are the biggest stressors with other people in your practice?

Key Solution Path #1

• Listen more than you talk• Clarity about requests – yours and theirs• Agree on accountability – Who, What, When, Followup• Cultivate trust by making it safe

Separate needs from strategies

Contrasting to assuage fears

Find common Goals

Communication Skills Improve Influence

Poll #2

• Too many interruptions during the day

• Can’t delegate to someone I can depend on to get it right

• Hunting for documents or information

• Worry about missing a deadline or commitment

• Too many obligations piling up at the same time

Which of these stressors strains your practice most?

Key Solution Path #2

Practice management software makes it easier

• Track all projects and due dates • Go digital – avoid hunting for paper• Templates for frequently occurring tasks• Delegate with checklists and templates• Accountability record for assigned tasks • All matter activity 1 click away• Commitments visible - avoid overloading

Consistent Systems

Key Solution Path # 2 cont’d

• Update to-do list daily• Top 3 daily priorities• Uninterrupted productivity time• Less but better essentialism• Delegate to focus on your highest use• Quick standing daily meeting • Identify & remove bottlenecks

Personal Productivity Habits

Poll #3

• Most of the day every day• Daily• Several times per week• Once in a while• I wish…

How often do you get to do work you love to do?

Key Solution Path #3

• Do you know your strengths and values?• Does your work call for you to use your strengths every day? • Does this give you an opportunity to stretch and grow?• What meaningful need do you meet?• How can you make a difference to your clients or co-workers?• How would their lives change if your function disappeared?• Does your organization’s mission align with your values?• What is in your control to enhance the meaning of your work?

Meaning and Purpose

Poll #4

• I frequently lunch or socialize with someone from the office.• Occasionally I have lunch with co-workers, but that’s it.• Others in the office socialize with each other, but I don’t.• Almost no one socializes with others in the office.

Which is most accurate about your relationships at work?

Key Solution Path #4

Gallup, Wharton, U of Michigan & other studies find correlation of quality of workplace relationships with job satisfaction

• Initiate social time

• Make deposits in emotional bank

account

• Be curious – something interesting

about everybody

• Demonstrate concern for their interests

• Find something in common you both

enjoy

Enhance Workplace Relationships

Poll #5

• You can learn new things, but you can’t really change your basic intelligence.

• You can change even your basic level of talent considerably.• Some people just aren’t creative.

Which statement do you agree with most?

Key Solution Path #5

Identify Your Mindset

Fixed Mindset: Believe traits and abilities are fixed

Growth Mindset: Believe can be developed through effort

Growth Mindset Exercises

• Recognize your fixed mindset voice and stretch

• See criticism as unstated request or useful

feedback

• Recognize setbacks as signals to make

adjustments

• Tell yourself “not yet” or “up until now”

Key Solution Path #5 cont’d

Gratitude Exercises

• Express gratitude to others, including why• Daily gratitude list• 3 Blessings: What went well today? Why?

Gratitude

Grateful people are more likely to:• Use better coping strategies• Seek supportiveness of social networks• Experience less stress

Contact Us

Debra L. BruceLawyer-Coach LLCdebra@lawyer-coach.com713-682-4353www.lawyer-coach.com

MyCase.comMyCase.com/blogsupport@mycase.com(800) 571-806230-Day FREE Trial

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