Being the junkie I am about achievement and change management, I loved Brian Francis’ presentation “Persevering and Prospering in Difficult Economic Times” at the State Bar of Michigan Annual Day of Education. I can’t agree more with his recommendations for a dynamic, foolproof and proactive approach for achieving success.
Develop a vision
Without a mental picture of what you want to achieve, you will be on a winding path to anywhere. You can’t score without direct aim. To stay motivated and focused on the intended course, learn to recognize your short-term achievements.
Program your self-talk
On individual file cards write down what you want to accomplish. Read through the entire deck three times every morning. Later on, write yourself an evaluation as if it is coming from someone else. When you are having a bad day, read it.
Invest in yourself
Develop the skills, method and seamless presentation that will get you where you want to be. Directed properly the mix of your education, experience, image and career advancement techniques will allow you to operate more effectively.
Create a plan for You, Inc.
You are incorporated even if you are working for someone else. People fail to achieve because they don’t create a master plan, post it in plain view, live up to commitments, and establish achievable goals. Write the plan down and look at it every morning. Make adjustments as the plan changes and morphs over time.
Differentiate yourself
With a steady stream of new graduates vying for the same things you want, the competition is fierce. Position yourself strategically by choosing activities that distinguish you from your rivals. Use your creativity and insight to locate unique opportunities that will increase your value.
Achieve your goals
Start working on the six critical steps now. Establish a start and finish date, list the obstacles you will have to overcome, identify the people who will help you, make a list of the skills and knowledge you will need, list the benefits of the achievements, and take action every day.
Listen to the judge
The law responds to socioeconomic trends and innovations, creating new opportunities every time a judge or jury passes down a verdict. Take advantage of changes that create new practice specialties, such as environmental and climate change liability and nanotechnology.
Believe that you can
After all, if you don’t, nobody else will.