legal sanity

These last days of Summer, my kids are busy reuniting with friends and preparing for school. (Shockingly, I now have a middle- and high-schooler in the trio.) Their don’t-quite-know-what-to-do stir craziness is ironclad proof of the change that’s in the air. Truth is, it’s hard to segue into the Fall. The more laid-back Summer is a welcome respite from the normal work-life routine.

During my recent vacation, I had the chance to go through the virtual folder where I store ideas for blog posts. Here’s a sampling that resonated for me as I prepared to return home and re-engage my solo law practice. I hope it gives you a bit of fuel for the seasonal transition. As always, if you have any other ideas or stories to share, please send them along.

At Harvard Business, Peter Bregman tells us how we can benefit professionally by ignoring our gut and pausing before reacting. If you’re in the throes of a career change (or just fantasizing about a new day job) you can add a soundtrack to your endeavors courtesy of Steven DeMaio’s wonderful Quitter’s Playlist.

With a compelling visual aid, Spike at Brains on Fire reminds us that, more often than not, it’s the little things that make companies (and the people behind them) remarkable.

Over at AmEx’s Open Forum, Chris Brogan offers some great pointers for improving our email communications while Matthew E. May gives us some insight into honing our observation skills.

Those of you who find business inspiration in great design will enjoy this Fast Company selection of Tasty Design Treats for the Fall. And, if you happen to have lost touch with your inner child this Summer, Jenny Williams will help you reacquaint in the cool Fall air via her Wired article on 30 Classic Games for Simple Outdoor Play.

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No. It’s not a typo. Although I practice both, this post is about meditation, not mediation. 

Meditation has been a regular part of my life for over 20 years. It’s helped me weather many a flurry personally and professionally. It’s also given me a mental focus and flexibility that makes me a better advocate for my clients. I’ve written a couple of articles on meditation basics. You’ll find other helpful insights in this Michigan Bar Journal article (pdf) and this piece from The New York Law Journal (featuring …… me).

If you’re in the NYC area this Sunday, May 17, 2009, I’m giving a meditation workshop with my good friend, Eileen Feinman at Yoga Life in Port Washington, NY. The venue is close to the LIRR train station and all major highways and there’s plenty of parking. Port Washington is a beautiful waterside town with lots of great restaurants and shopping. For more information, you can contact me or call Yoga Life at 516.767.9642.

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When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves.

~Victor Frankl

I’ve always been drawn to this quote. When faced with hard times and uncertainty, I think it’s human nature to look around us and think: “If I could just change this [job, relationship, assignment … you fill in the blank] things would be better and I’d be happy.” There’s a real lure to focus on the external circumstances of our lives when we’re feeling off kilter. And, truth be told, sometimes, changing those circumstances offers real relief. But, there’s bound to be another challenging situation to face and then another and another.

That’s where the meaning of Frankl’s quote lies for me. Eventually, in looking to change our external situation, we come to see that the change really starts with (and within) us – with shifts in our attitude, understanding, perspective and self-perception.

Almost a year ago, I stopped blogging here at legal sanity. It wasn’t a premeditated decision. It happened pretty organically in response to the increasing demands of business and life. Once I stopped blogging, I figured that I’d just devote the freed up time to addressing and alleviating some of these work-life demands. As you might guess, things didn’t go exactly as planned. Especially with the economic and market downturns, the demands I was experiencing remained just as demanding.

In the midst of all this, I realized that I missed posting and engaging with the community of bloggers.

So, on a recent afternoon, I sat down at my computer, went to legal sanity and spent some time in the archives. I noted the topics that still held interest and excitement for me and ones that felt tired and weighty. I also asked myself some questions about the direction of my training and development business and the book project I’m involved in. Broadening my focus, I thought about all the new and seasoned lawyers who, like me, are trying to achieve in a particularly challenging profession in particularly challenging times. How could I best support them? What information would they find meaningful, relevant, practical and timely?

After some time, I came away with a new vision and roadmap for this blog. While it will have the same look and voice, the content will focus on mentoring and coaching lawyers to embrace change and get unstuck so you can work smart and live fully. Drawing from different fields and disciplines, I’ll present motivating and inspiring articles, interviews with experts and other material to help you build your knowledge, skills and confidence as a firm or solo practitioner.

All of the archived content will remain on site, as will the original content categories. I’ve added some new categories to organize the fresh posts. They are:

• Business relationships
• Career strategy
• Managing + marketing yourself

As in the past, legal sanity continues to be part of a group of offerings. There will be a companion monthly e-newsletter and complementary training and development opportunities presented through an updated legal sanity programs. Also, as always, you’re essential to what’s happening at legal sanity. This is an open forum and an ongoing dialogue. The blog comments are activated and you’re welcome to email me with any questions and ideas you have for posts and newsletter content.

I’m very happy about these changes and look forward to recreating legal sanity with you.

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