legal sanity

What lawyers say and do while handling a legal issue often doesn’t reflect how they really feel about the matter or the client behind it.

Aligning all three aspects of practicing law – our words, feelings and actions – can be a tall order. Even when we “walk our talk” as tough negotiators or savvy client advisors, our emotions might not support this public persona. As much as we try to keep our feelings out of the mix, over time, this misfit tends to compromise our comfort and contentment with work.

My own desire for greater fit compelled me to start my own law firm and learning programs venture. This blog is also an avenue for exploring ways to connect words, feelings and actions. I’ve discussed that nexus in posts on ensuring law firm-associate fit and choosing fit over prestige; and I’ve alluded to the role it plays in spurring or curbing lawyer discontent and depletion.

Another opportunity for aligning words, feelings and actions recently knocked on my door.

Like so many other people, I’m committed to making a positive contribution to the world. I talk and think a lot about what I can do to act on my sincere intention. I’ve driven an Audi for years. It’s a great looking car. When I’m at the wheel, I feel important, hip and successful. With my lease term nearing an end, I started looking into my options.

Driving around town, I kept seeing hybrid cars. The bulb went on. After doing some research, I calculated that I’d save about 250 gallons of gas a year if I traded my Audi for a Toyota Prius. Taking this opportunity to reduce the size of my eco-footprint, I bought the Prius two days ago.

I’m very happy I did. I had a wonderful purchasing experience and it’s a great car all around (I’ll do a follow-up post on the customer-centric service model that’s made me an evangelist of Joni and the sales team at Penn Toyota in New York). Buying the Prius made sense on many fronts. But, most importantly, it’s given me a chance to edit my personal storyline to better align my words, feelings and actions.