Goals are like New Year's Resolutions

Read on to learn what actually drives success

Goals are pointless.

There I said it.

WAY too often we get caught up in a BHAG (big hairy audacious goal) and either:

 A) get disheartened that it's so far away or

B) hit it and don't keep doing what got us there.

So here's the thing, goals are great (when you have the RIGHT goals), but really you need the habits to get there, and then you need to double down on the HABITS to get to crazier goals.

This applies everywhere, your law firm, getting healthier, reading more books, being more patient, whatever the g-word is...you need the day-to-day game plan to get there.

For me, I've struggled with my weight since...forever probably.  So every now and then I would set a goal to lose 20-40 pounds or hit a certain weight, and sometimes I got there, and sometimes I didn't.

But last year, I started applying this same thought process I am discussing here and instead I looked at 3 habits to help me. 

 1) Reach 10,000 steps every day.

2) Lift weights (or while traveling, use resistance bands) 3 times a week.

3) Follow a modified weight watchers program.

 And guess what, I lost 30 pounds. And I only added some of it back when?  When I didn't follow the HABITS that got me there.  (100% of the time - habit #3).

 So when you sit down to set goals for your firm - please make sure they are the RIGHT goals.  What is the most common law firm owner goal?  It's not even close.

Ready for it?  

BE A $1,000,000 FIRM!!!!!

 And guess what, that's great, but honestly, I don't really care how much your firm brings in.  I care how much you actually make.  It's somewhat easy to spend $1 to bring in $1, but it's much harder to spend that same $1 to bring in $5 or $10 or $100 and actually be profitable.

 So when you sit down to set your goals...look at things and numbers that make sense...but more importantly, look at (and then follow) the HABITS that get you those end results.

You can't REALLY make a phone ring.  You can't REALLY make someone hire you.  But,

You can go to lunch twice a week with referral sources

You can have a life show each week

You can post 3 times a week on social media

You can call 10 prior clients a month to check in, etc.

So get in the right habits and then success is just a matter of time.

That being said - I truly hope 2021 was the best year of your life.  If it wasn't look at what YOU are going to do differently to get different results.  When you're the cause of all your problems, it's easy for you to be the solution as well.

Cut that underperforming employee

Drop that awful marketing campaign

Stop taking those cases that suck up your time to make no money

Stop working by 5pm to spend more time with your loved ones

Don't read that newsletter Friday afternoon on New Year's Eve (save it for the weekend or next week)

You can do this!  I believe in you.  We can all be happy and successful.

 Have a very happy and safe New Year, I will see you next week..next year...both.  Here's to it being 2022 and not 2020-too!

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