A Modest Proposal

Citi Private Bank Law Firm Group released its Midyear Report which found that Law Firm expenses are outpacing revenue gains (178 surveyed of which 134 are AmLaw 200) . Reasons for expenses varied, "Some firms increased their operating expenses because they commenced long-overdue infrastructure projects. Many saw a notable increase in compensation expenses, due to spring bonuses.

This approach (spring bonuses in the face of a mediocre economy) contrasts with the every-man article, "How to Make Money When Economy is Failing" in which a man takes the rentrepreneurial approach to shoring up his finances, exchanging time with pieces of his life for money. He rents out his home, appliances, even his dog to. "...make a little extra scratch on the side for our daughter’s college savings, or a remote-control pool shark".

While the running a large business and running a single-family home are vastly different in complexity, it's interesting to consider how differently firms might be run if economic austerity were taken to heart. For example, this is a holiday weekend and many law offices are locked up tight  and vacant. How much money could a major law firm rack up by renting their conference room art to a wealthy family whose home is in a little need of sprucing up? Or that leather couch sitting unused in the lobby? Or the reception area with the killer view as the site of a small private event?

One foot in front of the other

Here is an inspirational story of an everyday person who woke up one day, recognized that his life could be better and made immediate steps toward change. The cool part about the story, and the applicable law firm angle, is the step-by-step guide he provides  to tackling his issue on the about page of his blog- from recognizing the issue to making a change.

Social media, attending more networking events, submitting proposals for speaking engagements, signing up for alumni newsletters, taking a colleague to coffee, calling a client, sending holiday card.....it is easy to become overwhelmed by the mountain of things you might do to develop more business. Be careful not to miss the forest for the trees.

Rock by Rock

I could attach their names to a time and concept in American History, but otherwise I had very little understanding of Merriwether Lewis and William Clark before embarking on I Should Be Extremely Happy in Your Company. "Lewis and Clark" was more like a good old American brand-name: for solid exploration power, choose Lewis and Clark.
The monotony of their daily challenges is striking. Their lives came at them minute by minute, by stream, valley, almost rock by rock as they charted unknown territory. While aware and perhaps enamored by the heroism and fortune that could befall them the work of their journey was still work.

Beware! Life will Mute your Muse

Ideas are rotting in so many places throughout my life- my draft folder in Outlook, down the drain with the last bit of my morning coffee, on a note abandoned in the glove compartment of my commuter car. The more I investigate this phenomenon, the more overwhelmed I am by the stench of the once ripe and abundant inspirational juices, now rank and unsalvageable.

Nike's Just Do It campaign resonates so well in moments like these. So do it. Take the next lightning flash of inspiration and sprint to the finish. Drop the errand you were about to run and the next mundane task that begs completion and heed your higher calling instead, listen and respond to your muse. Her voice grows softer with each passing second.