I still know a number of you who are not setting goals. I am hopeful that if you read what scientists have written, it might give you an idea of why setting goals is important and how to do it.
Edwin A. Locke and Gary P. Latham, both professors, have summarized 35 years of empirical
The young lawyers I coached over the years were in big firms and smaller firms, different parts of the United States and Canada, different practice areas, different personality types and a variety of other unique characteristics. The lawyers I am helping find new law firms also differ in many ways.
Yet, to the person, the
I loved practicing law in law firms. Then I loved coaching lawyers. Now I love recruiting lawyers, in large part because I am still coaching in the recruiting process.
As you may remember, I graduated from law school, passed the bar exam and was admitted to practice law in 1971. Plenty has changed since I
Several years ago, I presented a program Success: Determining and Achieving Your Purpose, Values and Goals for the ABA YLD fall meeting.
Before I finished I asked for questions. One lawyer asked:
Cordell, in your experience, what separates the superstar young lawyers from the rest of the pack?
I did not hesitate:
The very best
Before I get to the point of this post I want to share a couple of things with you.
First, I had two surgeries in November. The first was an eye muscle surgery, to correct my left eye seeing below the right eye. I now realize why fly balls in the outfield kept bouncing up
When I was busy practicing law, there came a time when I had an Ah Ha Moment. It was the day I discovered that some of the lawyers who were working for me were pessimists who were not very motivated to succeed. It seems obvious now, but at the time I was surprised.
If you
In my new recruiting work I don’t place a lot of law firm associates because the associates I coached are now partners in their law firms. Some now have leadership positions in their law firms and others have become top rainmakers.
But, when I was coaching, I loved working with law firm associates. Why? The
Yesterday, I posted a Pele (The Brazilian super-star soccer player) quote that I particularly like on social media sites.
After posting, I received a comment:
Very true, but we may add that luck also is one factor.
Luck is indeed a factor, but I have always believed
Successful people make their own luck.
I also
Several years ago I met with Thomas, a lawyer I was coaching. He said:
“Cordell, whatever you do, please don’t tell me I have to write or speak at industry meetings for client development.”
I told Thomas:
“You can be really successful and never write one article or give one industry presentation.”
Fast forward to
Suppose you came to me seeking to join a new law firm. And, suppose during our discussion I asked:
What can you tell me about your career and life habits?
Years ago I read Jack Canfield’s book: “The Success Principles: How to Get from Where You Are to Where You Want to Be.”
In the