This Is Your Year: Creating New Habits Is About Commitment

Everybody loves a good shortcut. 

 

Seriously, who hasn’t considered skipping the hard parts in the marathon of life? 

 

Change is hard, oftentimes necessary.  So, we spend a significant part of our lives trying (and failing) to instill new habits.  And, that includes work habits. 

 

Most fail in this regard for two reasons: They try to bite off more than they can chew, or they don’t stick with it long enough.  Lawyers gonna lawyer. 

The solution to this problem is relatively simple: Start with a smaller goal, and work longer at it. 

 

I know, I know.  That sounds almost too easy; but, it works. 

 

The fact is that, to really instill a new habit effectively, it takes more like 2/3 of a year, not a week or a few. 

 

So, rather than setting a goal of revising your entire law firm marketing program, instead focus on mastering one component of it.  If you want to get better at social media marketing, for example, choose an anchor platform (LinkedIn is getting lots of eyeballs right now), and commit to writing long-form content for that platform at least once a week.  That’s a small personal ask of yourself, and something that is eminently achievable.  Given that the task is relatively simple and straightforward, you may also be able to stack up other similar tasks for yourself, and generate several good, little habits simultaneously, over the course of an entire year. 

 

It’s okay to think big, if you start small. 

 

. . . 

If you need help refocusing your task list, we can help! 

Through a unique partnership between the bar association and Jared Correia's Red Cave Law Firm Consulting, Vermont Bar Association members now have access to experienced law practice management consultants at a special discounted rate.  To get started, visit Red Cave's Vermont Bar Association landing page, and start running your law practice like a business.