As the year starts to wind up (all to quickly I might add), more than a few lawyers will be sitting back reflecting on what they’ve achieved over the past year. While we’ve all heard the old adage – ‘New Year, New You’ it rarely happens that way, however it really is a good time to take time and consider setting some realistic career goals for the year ahead.
Relationships Count
Given the ebb and flow and changes happening in legal industry currently, nothing counts more than making the personal connections with clients and stakeholders (yes, that includes personally signing that stack of Christmas Cards on your desk!). Having strong personal relationships with people inside and outside your business will serve you well down the track in both personal development and career path.
You are Unique
Consider what your unique skills are. They are likely soft skills – not necessarily your technical knowledge but the other things that make you, ‘you’. Great communication and relationship building skills, your passion for details, your influencing skills, time management or business development skills. The next step is to think about how you utilise these skills at work – does your job allow you to use them or are you stuck in a rut feeling underutilised or underrated?
Your Values
Let’s face – we’re not grads anymore! The values and interests you held when you started out in your legal career may have changed. Assessing what’s truly important to you will help you formulate if you’re still on the right path. Would you be happy practising in the same area of law for another 10 years or are there other areas of interest or priorities that you have now? Tapping into these might be the key to a happier, more fulfilled you.
Are You Too Comfortable?
Feeling too comfortable in your job? Boredom, a lack of emotional and intellectual investment could be a sign that it’s time to move on. To progress that career ladder, you need some stretch in your job. You need to take charge of your career. Don’t rely on your boss to give you more responsibility or more freedom, you need to be open and ask for it. On the flip side, if you’re feeling a little stressed or even a little out of your comfort zone, this is not always a sign that you’re not in the right role. You should try and maximise any opportunity for personal development.
Further Study
Now might be a great time to think about some further study. Whether it’s strictly academic or for personal growth, the New Year is a great time to get back to study or courses that could extend you.
Make a list
Make a list. A list of all the things you like and dislike about your current job. If the list is more than 50% in the negative or you find yourself ‘blowing off steam’ to your friends and family every night, it might be time to think about finding a role that’s a better fit for you.
If you’re is list has quite a few positives, perhaps it’s time to consider how you look at situations personally and how you think it can affect you and those around you. I found this blog post interesting and without all the ‘fluff’ that comes along with the catchphrase ‘positive thinking’, you can read about it here.
Remember, not every job is going to be perfect, that is why they call it work and not play! There will always be tasks or responsibilities that come with a role that you might not enjoy, but it’s all about finding a role with the right balance for you. The legal landscape changes every day and new opportunities arise. There’s no need to be stagnant, unhappy or burnt out on a daily basis. Reignite your passion for the law – maybe it’s time for a change