In this time of Thanksgiving, I am grateful that you take the time to read my blogs and articles.
This is a scary time for lawyers and business owners. In New York, our court system has closed the courts for trials indefinitely. A vaccine(s) appears to be on the horizon, but there will be some pain in the near future. We keep fighting and battling and hope for the best.
You are not alone. Everyone is experiencing the same struggles (although they won’t admit it). Keep your nose to the grindstone, move your cases and things will change.
The best investment you will ever make is in yourself. Never doubt your own abilities for a second. And when you need a friend, call me and I’ll help (cell: 518-265-9131).
My gratitude would not be complete without sharing this beautifully written essay of hope and encouragement from our firm’s client care advocate, Beverly “Bev” Davis. I hope this essay inspires you as it did for me.
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Dear John,
I am so grateful I was able to be on the Plaintiffs Elite Thursday call and I have been thinking about it ever since.
First off, I want you to know that I trust you to make the right decisions and I encourage you to also, trust yourself.
Whatever decisions you make, it will work out.
This is not to say that there won’t be some rough waters ahead, but that happens anyway though usually in a way we never expect so we can rarely ever even plan for it. Those surprises come at us sideways and the only way we can handle them is to remain flexible and creative...and take action. Any action is better than no action.
I believe you do have the right people in the firm. This will be a time of collecting great clients and cases so you need the legal assistance in the office. By the way, I count myself as one of the ‘right’ people in the ‘right job’ because my particular skill sets are perfect for the jobs I am asked to perform...and I love what I do at the firm.
I also appreciate the fact that you understand my situation here in that I am the primary caregiver to an elderly lady and can work around my family and community obligations.
Of all the people who spoke at the Thursday meeting, it was Alex who drilled down the numbers and saw what I saw - though in a different way - he saw through the numbers that you will have banner years in later 2021 and then start mopping up in 22-23-24. It only stands to reason as cases will continue to come in all next year before we start going to court in 22.
However, that does not mean that defense won’t settle some cases before...I believe they will and more of them will because they also need the revenue as was mentioned by others on the call.
Consequently, I encourage you to prod them, stay in personal contact with our clients who may want to settle faster or in fact, NEED to settle faster for financial reasons, mostly. If you go in with the attitude that “no one will settle” On the defense side, then no one will...but if you shift your attitude to...”let’s see, who am I going to start working to see if we can settle”....then more will settle...all you need is a few to settle next year to relieve the pressure from your shoulders.
Fear is a good motivator. I get it. I use it too. But, the stronger easier one to motivate is the opposite...it’s making it happen attitude so you are too busy doing that to get into the fear place. You once wrote down your settlement case goal and everyone was behind it. Why don’t you do that now...at the end of December so that everyone and especially you...can look at that big board in the board room every morning and revisit...Who are the clients who want to settle faster? Who are the prospective defense attorneys who want/need to settle?
I think praying also helps. Trust in the guidance of your heart and your maker, John. You have a strong spiritual connection...hey, ask for guidance and help regularly...and add gratefulness too. I am grateful that I have worked with you and I want to continue working for the firm and I believe you can come out of this eventually ADDING to your personal family savings.
Again, I have seen you do the near impossible before...and everyone sees that you can handle this like, no problem. It’s the fear that just has a tendency to freeze us up. I am so glad you hired another part-time paralegal...and if that one doesn’t work out, hire another...because you’ve got a really good team and I commend you for it.
Trust and have faith in yourself, because I have worked with global CEOs and they have nothing on you. The fear stuff is old stuff. Let it go. Has no place in your life now. It’s just old baggage that someone said a long time ago that you couldn’t do something or maybe, you even told yourself. At any rate, it’s not true. Never was true.
I am behind you. Your wife and family is behind you. Your God is behind you. Your team at the office is behind you. All your many loved friends at Mastermind Ex. Are behind you. All you need to do is get behind yourself...stay the course...you can do it. Don’t listen to the fear...isn’t really helpful...and besides, it’s bullshit.
You will not empty out your savings. You will not go bankrupt. You will not close the firm. You will have a bigger banner year than you’ve ever seen...You will settle enough cases to get by and keep the staff you need to service our clients. You will take action and close a few cases...next year...identify them and start working on it...let the staff do the heavy lifting while you start learning some new skills to put in your bag...whatever they are. Maybe you should have lunch with the defense lawyers? Ask about their business in general. They are on the other side but in truth you are all just doing your jobs and have more in common than most as surely you know. You need to develop flexibility in times that are restrictive...I know this from my own life.
Is this a good time to ask for a raise? Just kidding!
Anyway, I wanted to let you know how deeply I respect and admire you. You are far from perfect, John...but so am I. However, I have learned much from you and intend to keep working for you...so buck up...put a smile on your face...Brush off the fears that have absolutely NOTHING to do with reality because that’s not the sort of person you would allow yourself to be...enjoy your life...and whenever you need me to pitch in and row the boat, I am here...as is your staff...your wife, your kids, your friends...no one is going to let you forget how powerful you are.
Believe in yourself...take action...be flexible...and trust in yourself...because we all trust in you.
Beverly “Bev” Davis
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